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POEMS, 

BT 

WILLIAM COWPEK, 

- OF THE IWNBR TEMPLE^ ESQ.. 

IN TJTO VOLUMES. 
VOL, I. 



Skat aqux tremalum labris ubi lumen abeni* 
Sole repercufTum, aat rr'^iantis imagine luns. 
Omnia i>ervoliiat late loci, j>imque sab auras 
£rigitar, lammiqae ferit laquearia tcAi. 

r. . . JEn. via. 
So water, trembling in a pollihM vpfe, 
Re£e£^s the beam ihn pU/s npon its fee; 
The fportive li^ht, uncertain where it falls. 
Now ftrikes the rooi^ now flaflies on the wallt. 



A NEW EDITION. 



LONDON: 

>RINTBO FOR J. J0HN80K, ST. FAUL*S 
CHURCH-TARD. 

1800. 



T. B«niky» Prister« B«U Coait, Fket Stncu 



PREFACE 



TO THK 



FIRST VOLUME. 



Wf BEs an Author^ by appearing in prints re* 
qaefts aa audience of the Public^ and is upon the 
point of fpeaking for himfelf, whoever prefomes 
to fiep before him with a preface, and to fay, 
*^ Nay, but hear me firft/ fhould have fomething 
worthy of attention to offer, or he will be juftly 
deemed officious and impertinent. The judicioug 
reader has probably, upon othef occafions, been 
beforehand with me in this refledion : and I am 
not very willing it fhould now be applied to me, 
however 1 may feem to e&pofe mjrfelf to the dan« 
ger of it But the thought of having my own 
name perpetuated in connexion with the name 
in the title page, is £> pleafing and flattering to- 

139121 



!▼ P R B F A C B. 

the feelings of my heart, that I am content to 
riik foinething for the gratification. 

This Preface is not defigned to conomend the 
Poems to- which it is prefixed. My teflimony 
would be infufficient for thofe who are not qua- 
lified to judge properly for themfelves, and unne- 
ceifary to thofe who are. Befides, the reafons 
which render it improper and unfeeroly for a man 
to celebrate his own * performances, or thofe of 
his neareft relatives, will have fome influence in 
fupprefling much of what he might otherwife 
wiih to. fay in favour of 2l friend^ when that friend 
is indeed an alter ideniy and excites almoU the 
fame emotions of feniibility and afifedion as he 
feels for himfelf. 

It \\ very probable thefe Poems may come into 
the hands of feme perfons, in whom the fight 
of the Author's name will awaken a recolle6tion 
of iucideuts and fcenes which, through length of 
time, they had almoft forgotten. They will be 
renvnded of one^ who was once the companion of 
their chofen hours, and who fet out with them in 
eaily life, in the paths which lead to literary 
honours, to influence and affluence, with equal 
profpeds of fuccefs. But he was fuddenly and 
powerfully withdrawn from thofe purfuits^ and 



PRXFACB. T 

 

iie left them without regret; yet not till be had 
iiifficient opportanity of counting the coft, ami of 
knowing the value of what he gave ap. If hap- 
pioefs could have been found in claliical attain- 
ments^ io an elegant tade, in tlie exertions of 
"wit, fancy, and genius, and in the eAeena and 
cooverfe of fuch perfons as in tbefe rerpe(^ were 
mofi congenial with himfelf, he would bave l)een 
bappj. But he was not — He wondered (as tbou- 
fands in a fimilar fituation dill do) tbat he fliould 
continue diifatisfie^, with all tbe means appa- 
rently conducive to fatisfadion wit bin his reach 
—But in due time, tbe caufe of bis difappoint- 
ment was difcovered to him-*-He had lived with- 
out God in the world. Io a memorable hour,* 
the wifdom which is from above vifitcd bis heart. 
Then he felt himfelf a wanderer, and theu he 
found a guide. Upon this change of views, a 
change of plan and condud followed of courfe. 
When he faw tbe htrfy and tbe g«rf world io its 
true light, he left it with as little reluddnce as a 
pritbaer, wbpn tailed to libeny, leaves biN dun- 
geon. Not that he became a Cynic or an Aibetic 
—A heart filled with love to God, will affuredly 
breatbe benevolence to men. But tbe turn of 
his temper inclining bim to rural life, be in- 
dulged it, and tbe providence of God evidently 
preparing his way and marking out his retreat. 



VI PREFACE. 

he retired into the country. By tbefe fteps the 
good hand of God, unknown to me, was pro- 
viding for me one of the principal bleffings of 
my life; a friend and a counfcllor, in whofc 
company for almoft feven years, though we were 
feldom feven fucceffive waking hours feparated, I 
always found new pleafure. A friend, who was 
not only a comfort to myfelf, but a bleffing to 
the affedionate poor people^ among whom I 
then lived. 

Some time after inclination bad thus removed 
him from the hurry and buftle of life, he was dill 
more fecluded by a long iifdifpofition, and my 
pleafure was fuccecded by a proportionable de- 
gree of anxiety and concern. But a hope, that 
the God whom he ferved would fupport him 
under his affli6lion, and at length vouchfafe 
him a happy deliverance, never forfook me. The 
delirable crifis, I truft, is now nearly approach- 
ing. The dawn, the prefage of returning day, 
is already arrived. He is again enabled to re- 
fume his pen, and fome of the firft fruits of 
his recovery are here prefented to the public. 
In his principal fubje6ls, the fame acumen which 
diftinguiftied him in the early period of life, is 
happily employed in illuftrating and enforcing 
the truths of which he received fuch deep and 
6 



iidalterable impreffions ia his maturer jears. Hit 
iatire, if it may be called fo, is benevolent, (like 
the operations of the ikilful and humane furgeon 
-who woaods only to heal) didated by a juft re- 
gard for the honour of God, an indignant grief 
excited by the profligacy of the age, and a tender 
companion for the fouls of men. 

His favourite topics are leafl infifted on in the 
piece entitled Table Talk; which therefore, with 
fome regard to the prevailing tafle, and that thofe 
who are governed by it may not be difcou raged 
at the very threihold from proceeding farther, 
is placed firft. In mod of the larger Poems 
which follow, his leading defign is more expli- 
citly avowed and purfued. He aims to commu- 
nicate his own perceptions of the truth, beauty, 
and influence of the religion of the Bible. — A 
religion which, however difcredited by the mif- 
condudt of many who have not renounced the 
Chriftian name, proves itfelf, when rightly un- 
derflood, and cordially embraced, to be the grand 
defideratum, which 'alone can relieve the mind 
of man from painful and unavoidable anxieties, 
infpire it with flable peace and folid hope, and 
fumifli thofe motives and profpe6is, which, in 
the prefent flate of things, are abfolutely ne- 



Vili F R E F A C E. 

ceflary to produce a condud worthy of a rational 
creature, diftinguiflicd by a vaftnefs of capacity, 
which no aflemblage of earthly good can fatisfy, 
and by a principle and pre intimation of immor^ 
tality. 

At a time when hypothefis and conje6ture in 
philofophy are fo juftly exploded, and little is 
confidered as deferving the name of knowledge, 
which will not ftand the teft of experiment, the 
very ufe of the term experimental in religious 
concernments, is by too many unhappily rejeded 
with difguft. But we well know, that they 
who afre6k to defpife the inward feelings which 
religious perfons fpeak of, and to treat them as 
enthuiiafm and folly, have inward feelings of 
their own, which, though they would, they can- 
not fupprefs. We have been too long in the 
fecret ourfclves to account the proud, the ambi- 
tious, or the voluptuous, happy. We muft lofe 
the remembrance of what we once were, before 
we can believe, that a man is fatisfied with 
bimfelf, merely becaufc he endeavours to appear 
fo. A fmile upon the face is often but a maik 
worn occafionally and in company, to prevent, 
if poflible, a fufpicion of what at the fame time 
is pai^Bng in the heart. We know that there 



rRBFACB. IX 

are people, who feldom fmile when they are 
alone, who therefore are glad to bide them* 
felves in a throng from the violence of their 
own reflexions -, and who, while by their looks 
and their language they wiih to perfuade us they 
are bappy, would be glad to change their con- 
ditions with a dog. But in defiance of all their 
efforts, they continue to think, forebode, and 
tremble. This we know, for it has been our 
own flate, and therefore we know how to com- 
miferate it in others. — From this flate the Bible 
relieved us — When we were led to read it with 
attention, we found ourfelves defcribed. — We 
learnt the caufes of our inquietude — we were 
direfted to a method of relief — we tried, and 
we were not difappointed. 

lyeui Tuohis hec oiiafecii. 

We are now certain that the gofpel of Chrifl 
is the po>yer of God unto falvation, to eviery one 
that believeth. It has reconciled us to God, and 
tooarfelves, to our duty, and our (itualion. It 
is the balm and cordial of' the prefent life, and a 
fovereign antidote againfl the fear of death. 

Sed hadiemis hac. Some fmaller pieces upon 
lefs important fubjeds clofe the volume. Not 



F KB PACK. 



one of them I believe was written with a viewf 
to publication, but I was unwilling they fhould: 
be omitted. 



Charles Square, Hoxton> 
February i8, ijZu 



John. Newton.. 



CONTENTS. 



Page 

Table talk i 

Progrefs of Error 35 

Tntb 63 

Expo/iuliUhH 88 

Hope 121 

Cbarhy 1 55 

Cortverfatlott • 183 

Retiremtnt 2Z2 

Ti&tf Doves , 257 

A FabU, , 25^ 

A Comparifon t 26T 

^^erfes Jufpojed to he loritten by Alexander Selkirk^ during 

bisfoRtary Abode in the JJland of Juan Fernandes 263. 

On tbe Promotion of Edward Thurlow, Eff, to tbe 

Lord Higb Cbancellorjhip of England 265 

Ode to Peace « 267 

Human Frailty • 26^ 

m 

Tbe Modem Patriot 270 

On fibferving fome Names of Rttie Note recorded in tbe 

BioGSAPBXiii Britammica 27ft 



CONTENTS* 

Page 
Heport of an adjudged Cafe, not to be found In tavf of the 

Books 2.1% 

On the burning of Lord Mansfield's Library, together 'with 

hisMSS. hy tbeMobyinJune 1780 275 

On the fame 276 

The Love of the World reproved ; or, Hypocrify deteSed, . . 177 

The Lily and the Rofe 279 

Idem Latine Redditum 280 

The Nightingale and Glow-toorm 282 

Votum 284 

On a Goldfinch fiarved to Death in a Cage 284 

The Pine-Apple and the Bee 285 

Horace, Bookthezd, Odethe loth 287 

ji Refleffion on the foregoing Ode 289 

Tranjlations front Vincent Bourne 290 

The Shrubbery 297 

The fainter Nofegay 299 

Mutual Forbearance 300 

To the Rev, Mr* Neivton • 303 

Tranjlation of Prior'' s Chloe and EupbePia 305 

Boadicea 306 

Heroifm 309 

The Poet, the Oyfier, and the Senfitive Plant 314 

On the Receipt of my Mother's PiElure out of Norfolk 317 

To the Rev» Mr» fyUliam Cawthorne Uawin,, •• •• •. .t •• 323 



TABLE TALK. 



Si ie forte mea^^ gravis uretfarcina chart^e^ 
Abjicito, <? HoR. Lib.I. Epifl. 13. 



^. You told me, I remember, glory, built 
On felfiQi principles, is fb^me and guilt j 
Tbe deeds ibat men admire as half divine, 
Stark naught, becaufe corrupt in their defign. 
Strange dodrine this 1 that without fcruple tears 
The laurel that the very lightning fpares ; 
Brings down the warrior's trophy to the dud, 
And eats into his bloody fword like ruft. 

"B. I grant that, men continuing what they are, 
Fierce, avaricious, proud, there muft be war. 
And never meant the rule ihould be applied 
To him that fights with juftice on his fide. 

VOL. T. B 



TABLE TALK. 



Let laurels, drench'd in pure Parnaflian dews, 
Reward his memVy, dear to evVy mufe. 
Who, with a courage of unfhaken root. 
In honour's field advancing his firm foot. 
Plants it upon the line that juftice draws, 
And will prevail or perifli in her caufe. 
Tis to the virtues of fuch men, man owes 
His portion in the good that heaven beftows. 
And, when recording tiftory difplays 
Feats of renown, though wwjught in ancient days, 
Tells of a few ftout hearts that fought and died 
Where duty placd them, at their country's fide 5 
The man that is not mov'd with what he reads, 
That takes not fire at their heroic deeds. 
Unworthy of the bleffings of the brave. 
Is bafe in kind, and born to be a Have. 

But let eternal infamy purfue 
The wretch to nought but his ambition true. 
Who, for the fake of filling with one blaft 
The poft-horns of all Europe, lays her wafte. 
Think yourfelf ftation'd on a tow'ring rock. 
To fee a people fcatter'd like a flock. 
Some royal maftiff panting at their heels. 
With all the favage thirfi a tyger feels j 



TABL£TALKr $ 

Then view him, felf-proclaiin*d in a gazette 
Chief monfter that has plagu'd the nations yet : 
The globe and fceptre in fuch hands mifplac d, 
Thofe enfigns of dominion, how difgrac'd I 
The glafs that bids man mark the fleeting hour, 
And death's own fcythe, would better ffieak hii 

pow*r J 
Then grace the bony phantom in their ftead 
With the king's dioulder-knot and. gay cockade j 
Clothe the twin brethren in each other s drefs, 
The fame their occupation and fuccefs« 

A, Tis your belief the world was made for man j 
Kings do but reafop on the felf-fame plan : 
Mamtaining yours^ you cannot their s condemn. 
Who think, or feem to think, man made for them* 

B. Seldom, alas ! the pow'r of logic reigns 
With much fufficiency in royal brains j 
Such reas ning falls like an inverted cone. 
Wanting it's proper bafe to ftand upon. 

Man made for kings ! thofe optics are but dim 
That tell you fo — fay, rather, they for him. 
That were indeed a king-ennobling thought, 
Could they, or would they, reafon as they ought 

B 2 



4 T A B L fc T A L K. 

The diadem, with mighty projefts lin'd, 
To catch renown by raining mankind, 
Is worth, with all its gold and glitt'ring ftore, 
Juft what the toy will fell for, and no more. 
Oh ! bright occafions of difpenfing good, 
How feldom us*d, how little underftood ! 
To pour in virtue's lap her juft reward, 
Keep, vice reftrain*d behind a double guard 5 
To quell the fadion that affronts the throne 
By filent magnanimity alone 5 
To nurfe with tender care the thriving arts, 
Watch ev'ry beam philofophy imparts 5 
To give religion her unbridled fcope, 
Nor judge by ftatute a believer's hope; 
With clofe fidelity and love unfeign'd, 
To keep the matrimonial bond unftain'd -, 
Covetous only of a virtuous praife 5 
His life a leffon to the land he fways; 
To touch the fword with confcientious awe. 
Nor draw it but when duty bids him drawj 
To (heath it in the peace-reftoring clofe 
With joy vbeyond what vi6tory beftowsj 
Bleft country, where thefe kingly glories (hinej 
Bleff England, if this bappinefs be thine ! 



TABLETALK. 5 

A. Guard what you fay; the patriotic tribe 
Will fneer and charge you with a bribe. — B. A 

bribe ? 
The worth of his three kingdoms I defy, 
To lure me to the bafenefs of a lie. 
And, of all lies, (be that one poet s boaft) 
The lie that flatters I abhor the mod. 
Thofe arts be their*s who hate bis gentle reign; 
But he that loves him has no need to feign. 

A, Your fmooth eulogium, to one crown ad- 

drefs^d, 
SeoQM to imply a cenfure on the reft. 

B. €luevedo> as he tells his fober tale, 
Afk*d, when in hell, to fee the royal jail j 
Approved their method in all other things ; 

But where, good fir, do you confine your kings ? 
There — faid his guide— the group is full in view. 
Indeed ? — replied the Don — there are but few. 
His black interpreter the charge difdain*d — 
Few, fellow ? — there are all that ever reign*d. 
Wit, undiftinguifliing, is apt to ftrike 
The guilty and not guilty, both alike. 
I grant the farcafm is too fevere, 
And we can readily refute it here^ 



6 or A B L K T A L K. 

While Alfred's name, the father of hid age. 
And the Sixth Edward's grace th* hifloric page. 

A. Kings then at lad have but the lot of all. 
By their own condud they mufi: dand or fall. 

J5. True. While they live, thecourtly laareat pays 
His quit-rent ode, his pepper-corn of praife ; 
And many a dunce, whofe fingers itch to write. 
Adds, as he can, his tributary mite : 
A fubjc^^s faults a fubjedb may proclaim, 
A monarch's errors are forbidden game ! 
Thus, free from cenfure, over-aw'd by fear, - 
And prais'd for virtues that they fcom to wear. 
The fleeting forms oif majefly engage 
Befped, while flalking o*er life's narrow ftage \ 
Then leave their crimes for hiflory to fcan. 
And aik with bufy fcom. Was this the man ? 
- I pity kings whom worlhip waits upon, 
Obfequious, from the cradle to the throne \ 
Before whofe infant eyes the flatt'rer bows, 
And binds a wreath about their baby brows ; 
Whom education fliflens into flate. 
And death awakens from that dream too late. 
Oh ! if fervility with fupple knees, 
Whofe trade it is to fmile, to crouch, to pleafe; 



If ihiooth diffimnlatioD, ikiU'd to grace 
A devil's purpofe with an SDgd^s face; 
If fmiliiig peerefles, and fimp nng peen^ 
EDcompaffiDg his tbraae a few Qioit rears j 
If the gilt cam^Be and the paa)per*d- fieed^ 
That wants no drivings and difdaios the lead; 
If goaids^ mechaoically fiarm'd in ranks, 
Playing, at beat of drum, their martial prankfl* 
Sbould'ring and Ending as if ftnck to Hane, 
Wl^te ooDdeibending majefij looks on ; 
If monarchy confift in fuch baie things^ 
Sighing, I fay again, I pity kings ! 

To be fafpe6led, thwaried, and withflood^ 
Ev*n when he labours for his coantty s good ; 
To fee a band, called patriot^ f<»: no caufe. 
Bat that they catch at popnkur applanfe, 
Carele(s of all th* anxiety he feols, 
Hook difappoincment on the public wheeh; 
With all their flippapt flaency of tongue, 
Moft confident, when palpably moft wrong ; 
If this be kingly, then ^ifewell for me 
All king(hip; and may I be poor and free! 

To be the Table Talk of oluba up fiairs^ 
To which th* onwaih'd artificer repairs^ 



8 TABLS TALK. 

T indulge bis genius after long fatigue^ 
By diving into cabinet intrigue ; 
(For what kings deem a toil^ as well they may^ 
^o him is relaxation and mere play) 
To win no praife when well-wrought plans prevail^ 
But. to be rudely cenfur d when they fail ; 
To doubt the love his favorites may pretend^ 
And in reality to find no friend 5 
If he indulge a cultivated tafte, 
His gairries with the works of art well grac*d> 
To hear it calFd extravagance and wade ; 
If thefe attendants, and if fuch as thefe, 
Muft follow royalty, then welcome cafe ,* 
However humble and confined the fphere^ 
Happy the ilate that has not thefe to fear. 
^. Thus men^ wbofe thoughts contemplative 
have dwelt 
On Situations that they never felt^ 
Start up fagacious, covered with the dud 
Of dreaming fludy and pedantic ruft, 
And prate and preach about what others prove^ 
As if the world and they were hand and glove. 
Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly oares ; 
They havev their weight to carry, fubjeds their's; 



TABLB TALK. 9 

Poets, of all men, ever leaft regret 
Increafing taxes and the nation's debt. 
Could 70a contrivie the payment, and rehearfe 
The mighty plan, oracular, in verfe, ' 

No bard, howe*er majefiic, old or new. 
Should claim my fixt attention more than you. 

E. Not Brindley nor Bridgewater would eiTay 
To turn the courfe of Helicon that way; 
Nor would the nine eonfent the facred tide 
Should pnrl amidft the traffic of Cheapfide, 
Or tinkle in 'Change Alley, to amufe 
The leathern ears of fbck-jobbers and jews. 

A. Vouchfafe,at lead, to pitch the key of rhyme. 
To themes more pertinent, if Icfs fublime. 
When imnifters and mintfterial arts $ 
Patriots, who love good places at their hearts; 
When admirals^ extoUM for fianding flill. 
Or doing nothing with a deal of ikill ; 
Gen'rals, who will not conquer when they may. 
Firm friends to peace, to pleafure, and good pay ; 
When freedom, wounded alnooft to defpair. 
Though difcontent alone can find out where; 
When themes like thefe employ the poet's tongue, 
I hear as mute as if a fyren fung. 



10 XABLB TAIfK. 

Or tell me, if you caa, what powV maiotaijis 
A Britain*s. fcom of arbitrary chains ? 
That were a thecoe cnight animate the dead. 
And move the Hps of poeta caft in lead. 
B. The caufe, though worth the fearch, may 
yet elude 
Goqjedure and remark, however ihrewd. 
They take, perhaps, a well-direded aim. 
Who feck it in his climate and his frame. 
Libera} in all things dfe, yet nature here 
With ftern feverity deals out the year. 
Winter invades the fpring, and often pours 
A chilling flood on fummer's drooping flow'rs^ 
Unwelpome vapours quench autumnal beams^ 
Ungenial blaib attending, curl the (bieams -, 
The peaiants urge their harvefl, ply th&fork 
With double toil, and ihiver at their work ; 
Thus with a rigour, for his good defign'd. 
She rears her favVite man of all mankind. 
His form robufl and of elaftic tone^ 
Proportion*d well, half mufcle and half bone^ 
Supplies with warm adivity and force 
A mind weU-lodg*d, and mafculine of courfe. 



TABCrB TALK. It 

Heooe liberty, fweet liberty inrpireSy 

And keeps alive, his fierce but noble fires* 

Patient of coofiitutional controal. 

He bears it with meek manlinefs of foul; 

Bnty if authority grow wanton, woe 

To him that treads upon his free-born toe; 

One flep beyond the boundary of the laws 

Fires him at once in freedom's glorious caufe. 

Thus proud prerogative, not much rever'd, 

Is feldom felt^ though fometimes feen and heard ; 

And in his cage, like paiTot fine and gay. 

Is kept, to ftrut, look big, and talk away. 

Bom in a climate fofter far than our*8. 
Not fbrm'd like us, with fuch Herculean pow'rs. 
The Fienchman, eafy, debonnair, and brilk^ 
Give him his lafs, his fiddle, and his friik. 
Is alwa]r5 happy, reign whoever may. 
And laughs the fenfe of misVy far away: 
He drinks his fimple bev'rage with a guft; 
And, feafHng on an onion and a cruft. 
We never feel th* alacrity and joy 
With which he ihouts and carols, Vrue h Ba^, 
Fill'd with as much true merriment and glee. 
As if he heard his king (ay— Slave, be free. 
6 



12 TAB L£ TALK. 

Thus happinefs depends* as nature (hows, 
Lefs on exterior things than moft fuppofe. 
Vigilant over all that he has made, 
Kind Providence attends with gracious aid ; 
Bids equity throughout his virorks pi?evail> 
And weighs the nations in an even fcale 5 
He can encourage ilav'ry to- a fsnile. 
And 'fill with difcontent a BritiKh iile» 

A, Freeman and flave, then, if the cafe be fuch. 
Stand on a level -, and you prove too much : 

If all men indifcriminately (bare 
His foflViqg pow*r* and tutelary care, 
As well \ifi yok*d by defpotifin's hand*. 
As dwell at large ia Britain's chartered land. 

B, No. Freedom has a thoufand charms to fhow'. 
That ilaves, howe er contented, never know. 
The mind attains, beneath her happy reign. 
The growth that nature meant (he Ihould attain*} 
The varied fields of fcience, ever new, 
Op*ning and wider op ning on her view, 

She ventures onward with a profpVous force, 
While no bafe fear impedes her in her courfe : 
Religion* richeA favour of the ikies* 
Stands moH revealed before the freeman's eyes v 



TAB LB TALK. O 

No fhades of fuperftition blot the day, 
Liberty chafes all that gloom away; 
The foul) emancipated^ unopprefs^d, 
Free to prove all things and hold faft the beft, 
Jjearns much ; and> to a thoufand lift*ning miods^ 
Communicates with joy the good flie finds : 
Courage in arms> and ever prompt to (how 
His manly forehead to the iierceft foe ; 
Glorious in war, but for the fake of peace. 
His fpirits riling' as his toils increafe, 
Guards well what arts and indudry have won, 
And freedom claims him for her firft-bom fon. 
Slaves fight for what were better cart away— 
The chain that binds them, and a tyrant's fway; 
But they, that fight for freedom, undertake 
The nobleil caufe mankind can have at flake : — 
Religion, virtue, truth, whatever we call 
A blefiing — freedom is the pledge of all. 
Oh liberty ! the prisoner's pleafing dream. 
The poefs roufe, his paflion and his theme ; 
Genius is thine, and thou art fancy *s nurfe ; 
Loll without thee th* ennobling pow'rs of verfe ; 
Heroic fong from thy free touch acquires 
Its cleareft tone, the rapture it infpires : 



14 T A B t B T A t K«^ 

Place me where winter breathes hiskecQeft air» 

And I will ling, if liberty be there ; 

And I will fing, at liberty's dear feet^ 

In Afric's torrid dime, or India's fierceft heat. 

A. Sing where you pleafe, in inch a caufe, I grants 
An Englifh poet's privilege to rant ; 

But is not freedom— ^t leaii, is not our's 
Too apt to play the wanton with her ppw'rs. 
Grow freakiflj, and, o'erleaping ev'ry mound, 
Spread anarchy and terror all around ? 

B. Agreed. But would you fell or flay y our horfe 
For bounding and curvetting in his courfe } 

Or if, when ridden with a carclefs rein, 
He break away, and feek the dift^nt plain ? 
No. His high mettle, under good controul, 
Gives him Olympic fpeed, and (hootshim to the goal. 

Let difcipline employ her wholefome arts> 
Let mngiflrates alert perform their parts, 
'Not fkulk or put on a prudential maik. 
As if their duty were a defp'rate talk j 
Let adive laws apply the needful curb 
To guard the peace that riot would difiurb ; 

r 

And liberty, preferv'd from wild excefs^ 
Shall raife no feuds for armies to fupprefs. 



TABLETALK. t5 

When tamult lately burft his prifon door. 
And fet plebeian tboufahds ia a roar ; 
When he ufurp'd authority's juft place. 
And dar'd to look his tnafter in the face 5 
When the rude rabble's watch-word was— ^eftroy. 
And blazing London feem'd a fecopd Troyi 
Liberty bluih'd, and hung her drooping head, 
Beheld their progrefe with the deepeft dread 5 
Blufh'd, that efFeds like thefe ihe (hould prodqce, 
Worfe than the deeds of gal ley-ilaves broke ioofe. 
She lofes in fucb flomas her very name. 
And fierce licentioufnefs (hould bear the blatpe. 

Inconnparable gem I thy worth pntold j 
Cheap; though blood*bought 5 and thrown away 

when fold 5 
May no foes ravifti thee, and no falfe frigid . 
Betray thee, while profelSng to defend ; 
Prize it, ye minifters j ye raonarchs, fparcj 
Ye patriots, guard it with a roifer's care. 

A. Patriots, alasl the few that have been found. 
Where mofl: they flourifli, upon Englifli ground. 
The country's need have fcantily fupplied, 
And the U^ left the fcene when Chatham died. 



id TABLETALK. 

B, Not fo— the virtue ftill adorns our age, 
Though the chief a^or died upon the ftage. 
In him Demodheues was beard again ; 
Liberty taught him her Athenian ftrain ; 
She cloth'd him with authority and awe, 
Spoke from his lips, and in his looks gave law. 
His fpeech, his form, his adion, full of grace. 
And all his country beaming in his face. 
He flood, as fome inimitable hand 
WouM ftrive to make a Paul or Tully ftand. 
.No fycophant or flave, that dar*d oppofe 
Her facrcd caufe, but trembled when he rofe -, 
And evVy venal ftickler for the yoke 
Felt himfelf cru{h*d at the firft word he fpoke. 

Such men are raisM to Nation and command. 
When Providence means mercy to a land. 
He fpeaks, and they appear 5 to him they owe 
Skillto diredt, and (Irengtfa to flrike the blow; 
To manage with addrefs, to feize with powV, 
The criiis of a dark decillve hour. 
So Gideon earn*d a vi6i:*ry not his own ; 
Subferviency his praife, and that alone. 

Poor England 1 thou art a devoted deer, 
Befet with ev*ry ill but that of fear. 



TABLB TA.LK. 1/ 

The nations hunt; all mark thee for a prey; 
They fwarm around thee, and thou (land*ft at bay. 
Undaunted fiill, though wearied and perplex*d^ 
Once Chatham fav'd thee; but who faves thee next ? 
Alas! the tide of pleafure Ayeeps along 
All that (bould be the bonft of Britifli fong. 
Tis not the wreath that once adorn'd thy brow. 
The prize of happier tin)es, will ferve thee now. 
Our anceHry ; a gallant chri(Han race, 
Patterns of ev'ry virtue, evVy grace, 
Confefs'd a God ^ they kneel'd before they fought^ 
And praised him in the vidOries he wrought. 
Now from the dud of ancient days bring forth 
Their fober zeal, integrity, and worth j 
Courage, ungrac*d by thefe, affronts the (kies. 
Is but the fire without the faciifice. 
The ftream that feeds the well-fpring of the heart 
Not more invigorates life's nobleft part. 
Than virtue quickens, with a warmth divine. 
The powVs that (in has brought to a decline. 

A. Th' ineflimable eftimate of Brown 
Hofe like a paper-kite, and charmed the town ^ 
But meafures, planned and executed well. 
Shifted the wind that rais'd it, and it fell. 

VOL. I. C 



18 TABLE TALK. 

He trod ttd very fdf-fame gmund you tread^ 
Afod tidorjr nefbted all he faid. 

^. Abd yet bis judgment was not fram'd amifs ; 
Its feltor, if it err'd, was merely this — 
He thought the dying hour already come. 
And a complete recovVy flruck htm dumb. 

But that effeminacy^ folly, luH, 
Eberrate and enfeeble> and needs muft. 
And that a nation (liamefally debd8*d. 
Will be defpis*d and trampled on at lad, 
Unlels fweet ]penitencc her powVs renew, 
Is truth, if hiftory itfelf be true. 
There is a time, and juflice marks the date. 
For long-forf)car!ng clemency to wait; 
That hour elaps*d, th' incnrable revolt 
Is puni(h*d, and down comes the tfaunder-bdt. 
If mercy then put by the threatening blow, 
Mufl (he perform the faine kind office new f 
May (he ! and, if offended heav'n be (till 
Acceffible, and pray'r prevail* fee will. 
*Tis not, however, infolence and noife. 
The tempeft of tumultuary joys. 
Nor is it> yet, defpondencc and difraay. 
Will win hervifits or engage her ftay; 



TABLE TALK. 19 

Pray*r only, and the peoite&tial tear. 

Can call her ihiiliog dowQy and fix her here. 

But, when a ooiuitrj (one that I could name) 
In proilkution finks the fenfe of fiiame; 
When infamous Tcnality, grown bold. 
Writes on -his l>ofom, to he let orjoid; 
When perjurjy that heav*n defying vice. 
Sells oaths by tale, and at the iowefi price. 
Stamps God*s own name upon a lie juft made. 
To turn a penny in the way of trade ; 
When avVice flarves (and never hides his face) 
Two or three millions of the human race. 
And not a tongue inquires, how, where, or when. 
Though conlcienoe will have twinges now and then ; 
When profanation of the facred caufe 
Iq all its parts, times, minifhy, and laws, 
Befpeaks a land, once chriftian, falPn, and loft 
In all that wars againfi that title mod ; 
What follows next let cities of great name. 
And regions long fince ddblate, proclaim. 
Nineveh, Babylon, and ancient Rome, 
Speak to the prefect times, and times to come 5 
They cry aloud in ev'ry carelefs ear. 
Stop, while ye may; fufpend your mad career; 

C 2 



20 TABLE TALK. 

O learn, from our example and our fate. 
Learn wifdom and repentance ere too late. 

Not only vice difpofes and prepares 
The mind, that {lumbers fweetly in her fnares. 
To (loop to tyranny's ufurp'd command. 
And bend her polifli'd neck beneath his hand 
(A dire effeft, by one of nature's laws 
Unchangeably conneded witl^ its caufe)^ 
But Providence himfelf will intervene 
To throw his dark difpleafure o'er the fcene. 
All are his inftruments ; each form of war. 
What burns at home, or threatens from afar, 
Nature in arms, her elements at flrife. 
The dorms that ovcrfct the joys of life, 
Are but his rods to fcourge a guilty land. 
And wade it at the bidding of his hand. 
He gives the word, and mutiny foon roars 
In all her gates, and ihakes her dlflant ihores 3 
The flandards of all natrons are unfurl'd : 
She has one foe, and that one foe the world. 
And, if he doom that people with a frown. 
And mark them with a feal of wrath prefs'd down, 
Obdmracy takes place ; callous and tough. 
The reprobated race grows judgment proof: 



T A.B L E T A L Kv 21 

Earth ihakes beneath them and heav'n roars above 3 
But nothing fcares them from the courfe they love : 
To the lafcivious pipe and wanton fong. 
That charm down fear, they frolic it along^ 
With mad rapidity and unconcern, 
Down to the gulf from which is no return. . 
They truft in navies, and their navies fail— » 
God's curfe can cad away ten thoufand fail ! 
They truft in armies, and their courage dies; 
In wifdom, wealth, in fortune, and in lies -, 
But all they trull in withers, as it mufi. 
When He commands, in whom they place no truft. 
Vengeance at laE pours down upon their coali 
A long defpis'd, but now vidorioos, hofl -, 
Tyranny fends the chain that muft abridge 
The noble fweep of all their privilege ; 
Gives liberty the laft, the mortal fhock j 
Slips the flave's collar on, and fnaps the lock. 

ji. Such lofty firains embelliQi what you teach. 
Mean you to prophefy, or but to preach ? . 

B, I know the mind that feels indeed the fire 
The mufe imparts, and can command the lyre. 
Ads with a force, and kindles with a zeal. 
Whatever the theme, that others never feeL 



22 TABLE TALK. 

If human woes her fc^t attentioD cUim^ 

A tendeif fympathy pervades the fnune^ 

She pours a feufibility divine 

Along the nerve of cv*ry feeling line. 

But, if a deed aot tamely to be bom 

Fire indignation suid a fenfe of fcorn. 

The firings are fwept with fuch a pow*r fo loudr 

The dorm of mufic fhakes th' aflonifh*d crowd. 

So« when remote futurity is brought 

Before the keen inquiry of her thought, 

A terrible fagacity informs 

The poet's lieart; he looks to diftant ftorms; 

He hears the thunder ere the temped ]ow*rs ; 

And, arm*d whh ftrength furpaffing human pow'rs^ 

Seizes events as yet unknown to man. 

And darts his foul into the dawMing plan. 

Hence, in a Roman mouth, the graceful name 

Of prophet and of poet was the fame ; 

Hence Britifli poets, too, the pricfthood ihar*d. 

And ev*ry hallowed druid was a bard. 

But no prophetic fires to me belong ; 

I play with fyllables, and fport in fong. 

A, At Weftminfter, where little poets Urivt" 

To fet a diftich upon fix and five^ 
3 



Where difciplioe helps (^'oiag bacjs ef feiifir» 
And makes his pupils proud with filrer-p^qc^ 
I was a poet too ) bat pooderA tafle 
Is fo re6Q d, aad delicate* aqd chafle. 
That verfe, whatever fire the fancj warms, 
Without a creamy (moothnefs has no chacms. 
Thus, all (Viccefs depeadiug on im ear. 
And thinking I might purchafe it too dear* 
If fentiment were facrific'd to found* 
And truth cut fliort to make a period round, 
I judged a man of fenfe could fcarce do worfe 
Than caper in the morris-dance of yerfe. 

B. Thus reputation is a fpur to wit, 
And fome wits flag through fear of lofing it. 
Give me the line that plows its flately courfe 
lake a proud fwan* conqring the fireapi by force; 
That, like fome cottage beauty* flrikes the heiirt* 
Quite unindebted to the tricks of art, 
When labour and when dulnefs* club in hand* 
Like the two figures at St. Dunftan*s* fiaod^ 
Beating alternately* in meafpr*d time* 
The clock-work tintinabulum of rhyme^ 
£xad and regular the founds will be 3 
fiat fuch mere quarter^firokes are not for me. 



'24 TABLETALK. 

From him who rears a poem lank and long. 
To him who firains his all into a fong 5 
Perhaps feme bonny Caledonian air^ 
All birks and braes^ though he was Berer there > 
Or, having wbdp'd a prologue with great pains. 
Feels hiniifelf fpent, and fnmbles for his brains j 
A. prologue interdafli'd with many a flroke — 
An art contrived to advertife a joke. 
So tliat the jeii is clearly to be feen. 
Not in the words — but in the gap between : 
Manner is all in all^ whate*er is writ. 
The fubflitute for genius, fenfe, and wit. 

To dally mucb with fubjeds mean and low 
Proves that the mind is weak, or makes it fo. 
Negleded talents ruft into decay. 
And evVy effort ends in pufh-pin play. 
The man that means fuccefs ihould foar above 
A foldier's feather, or a lady*s glove ; 
Elfe, fummoning the mufe to fuch a theme, 
The fruit of all her labour is whipt -cream. 
As if an eagle flew aloft, and then — 
Stooped from its higheft pitch to pounce a wren. 
As if the poet, purpofing to wed, 
Shooid carve himfelf a wife in gingerbread. 



TABLKTALK. 25 

Age* elap&*d ere Homer's lamp appear'd. 
And ages ere the Mantuan fwao was heard : 
To carry natiue lengths unknown before. 
To give a Miltoo birth aik'd ages more. 
Thos genios rofe and let at ordered times. 
And ihot a daj-fpring into £fiaot dimes, 
EnnnWing eVry region that he choTe; 
He ibnk in Greece, in Italy he rofe; 
And, tedions years of Gothic darkneis pals'd, 
Emerg'd all fplendoor in our iile at laft. 
Thus lore! J halcyons dive into the nnin. 
Then flbow far off their fliimng pinmes again. 

A, Is genius only Ibond in ^c lays ? 
Prove this, and forfdt all pretence to praife. 
Make their herdc powers yoor own at once. 
Or candidly confeis yoorli^lf a donee. 

B- Thefe were the chief: each interval of night 
Was grae*d with many an nndolating light, 
lo leis illndtioos bards his beauty Ihone 
A meteor, or a ftar ; in thele, the fan. 

The nightingale may claim the lopoaoil bongh;^ 
While the poor graishopper mufi chirp below : 
like him, unnotic'd, I, and fuch as I, 
Spread little wings, and rather ikip than fly; 



26 TABIrETALK. 

Perched on the meagre produce c^ the land^ 
An ^11 or two of profpe^t we comixiapd j 
But never peep beyond the thomj bounds 
Or oaken fence^ that hems the paddoc round. 

In £den> ere yet innocepee of b^art 
Had faded^ poetry was not an art j 
Language^ above all teaching, or» if tan^t> 
Only by gratitude and glowing thought. 
Elegant as iimplicity, and warm 
As ecfiafy, unmauacled by form. 
Not prompted, as in our degenerate days. 
By low ambition and the Ihirfi of praife. 
Was natural as is the flowing flream. 
And yet magnificent-— a God the theme !• 
That theme on earth exhauded, though above 
'Tis found as everlafUng as his love, 
Man lavifh*d all his thoughts on human things — 
The feats of heroes, and the wrath of kings : 
But ftill, while virtue kindled his del^ht. 
The fong was moral, and fo far was right. 
'Twas thus till luxury feduc'd the mind 
To joys lefs innocent, as lefs refined ', 
Then genius danc*d a bacchanal ^ he crown'd 
The brimming goblet, feiz*d the thyrfus, bound 



TABLE TALK. 2^ 

His brows with irj, tfi&i'd into the field 

Of wild imaginatioDf and there reel'd. 

The vidim of his cfwn lafci? ions fires. 

And, dizzy with delight, prrofiin'd the iacrcd Wires. 

AnacreoD^ Horace, ^aj'd in Greecp and Rome 

This Bedlam part; and others nearer honoe. 

When Cromwell fonght for pow'r, and while he 

retgpi*d 
The proud protedbor of the pow*r he gained. 
Religion harili, intolerant, aufiere. 
Parent of manners like herfelf fevere. 
Drew a roagb copy of the Chriflian face 
Without the fmile, the fweetnefs^ or the grace > 
The dark and fullen humour of the time 
Jodg'd ev'ry effort of the mnfe a crime j 
Verfe, in the fineft mould of fancy caft. 
Was lumber in an age fo void of tafte : 
But, when the iecoihi Charles afium'd the fway> 
And arts revived beneath a fofter day. 
Then, like a bow long forc'd into a curve, 
The mind, released from too conftrain*d a nerve. 
Flew to its firft pofition with a fpring 
That made the vaulted roofs of plcafure ring. 



28 T A B L B T A L K. 

His court, the diiiblute and hateful fchool 
Of wantonnefs, where vice was taught by rule, 
Swarm*d with a fcribbling herd, as deep inlaid 
With brutal luft as ever Circe made. 
From thefe a long fucceffion, in the rage 
Of rank obfcenity, debauch'd their age j 
Nor ceas'd, till, ever anxious to redrefs 
Th* abufes of her facred charge, the prefs. 
The mufe inftruded a well-nurtur'd train 
Of abler votaries to cleanfe the flain. 
And claim the palm for purity of fong, 
That lewdnefs had ufurp d and* worn fo long. 
Then decent pleafantry and fterling fcnfe. 
That neither gave nor would endure offence, 
Whipp'd out of fight, with fatire juft and keen. 
The puppy pack that had defiFd the fcene. 
In front of thefe came Addifon. In him 
Humour in holiday and lightly trim. 
Sublimity and attic tafle, combined, 
To polifh, furnifh, and delight, the mind. 
Then Pope, as harmony ilfelf exa6t, 
In verfe well difciplin'd, complete, compa^. 
Gave virtue and morality a grace. 
That, quite eclipiing pleafure's painted face. 



TABLETALK. 20 

Levied a tax of wonder and applaufe, 

£v*n on the fools that trampled on their laws. 

But he (his mufical fineife was fuch. 

So nice his ear> fo delicate his touch) 

Made poetry a mere mechanic art 3 

And ev'ry warbler has his tune by Jbeart. 

Nature imparting her fatiric gift. 

Her ferious mirth, to Arbuthnot and Swift, 

With droll fobriety they rais'd a (mile 

At fo]]y*s coil, themfelves unmov*d the while. 

That condellation fet, the world in vain 

Mufl hope to look upon their like again. 

A. Are we then left — B. Not wholly in the dark; 
Wit now and then, firuck fmartly, ihows a fpark. 
Sufficient to redeem the modern race 
From total night and abfolute difgrace. 
While fervile trick and imitative knack 

« 

Confine the million in the beaten tracks 
Perhaps fome courfer, who difdains the road. 
Snuffs up the wind, and flings himfelf abroad. 

Contemporaries all furpafs*d, fee one ', 
Short his career, indeed, but ably run y 
Churchill $ himfelf unconfcious of his pow*rSy 
In penury confum*d his idle hours 5 



30 TABI.8TALK. 

And, like a fcatter*d fised at random fowD, 
Was left to fpring by Tigour of bis pwn. 
Lifted at length, by dignity of thought 
And dint of genius, to an affluent lot. 
He laid his head in luxury's foft lap. 
And took, too often, there his eafy nap. 
If brighter beaoos than all he threw not forth, 
*Twas negligence in him, not want of worth. 
Surly and flovenly, and bold and coarfe. 
Too proud for art, and truiiing in mere force. 
Spendthrift alike of money and of wit. 
Always at fpeed, and never drawing bit. 
He ftruck the lyre in fuch a carelefs mood, 
And fo difdaio*d the rules he underilood. 
The laurel feem*d to wait on his command ; 
He fnatch*d it rudely from the mufes* hand. 
Nature, exerting an unwearied powV, 
Forms, opens, and gives Icent to, ev'ry flowV; 
Spreads the freih verdure of the fi^d, and leads 
The dancing Naiads through the dewy meads : 
She fills profuie ten thousand little throats 
With mufic, modulating all their notes; 
And charms the woodland fcenes, and wilds un- 
known. 
With artlefs airs and concerts of her own : 



Bat feldom (as if fearful of expenfe) 
Voachfafes to man a poet*ft juft pretence — 
Fervency, freedom, fLacncy of tboogbt, 
HarmoDj, ftretigth, words eltquifitely feogbt; 
Fancy, that from the bow that fpans the iky 
Brings colours, dipt in heaven, that never die; 
A (bill exalted above earth, a mind 
Skill'd in the char&ders that form mankind; 
And, as the fun in rifing beauty drds'd. 
Looks to the weltward from the dappled eafi. 
And maiics, whaterer clouds may Interpofe, 
Ere yet his race begins, its glorious clofe; 
An eye like his to catch the diftant goal ; 
Or, ere the wheels of verfe begin to roll. 
Like bis to ihed illuminating rays 
On ev'ry fcene and fubjed it furve3rs : 
Thus graced, the man aflerts a poet*s name. 
And the world cheerfully admits the claim. 
Pity religion has fo feldom found 
A fkilfiil guide into poetic ground I 
The flow'rs would fpring where'er fhe deign*d to 

flray. 
And ev*Tj mufe attend her in her way. 
Virtoe indeed meets many a rfaiming friend. 
And many a compliment politely penn d ; 



32 T A B L B T A L K«- 

But, Qnattir*d in that becoming veil 
Religion weaves for her^ and half undrefs^d, 
Stand in the defert, ihivVing and forlorn^ 
A wintry figure, like a withered thorn. 
The (helves are full, all other themes are fped ; 
Hackney *d and worn to the lafl flimfy thread. 
Satire has long fince done his belt ^ and card 
And loathfome ribaldry has done his word ; 
Fancy has fported all her pow*rs away 
In tales, in tiiHes, and in children*s play; 
And *tis the fad complaint, and almoft true. 
Whatever we write, we bring forth nothing new, 
•'Twcre new indeed to fee a bard all fire, 
Touch*d with a coal from heav*n, aOTume the lyre. 
And tell the world, fiill kindling as he fung^ 
With more than mortal mufic on bis tongue. 
That He, who died below, and reigns above, 
Infpires the fong, and that his name is love. 

For, after all, if merely to beguile, 
By flowing numbers and a flowVy ftyle. 
The taedium that the lazy rich endure. 
Which now and then fweet poetry may cure; 
Or, if to fee the name of idle felf. 
Stamped on the well-bouud quarto, grace the Oadf, 



TABLE TALK. 33 

To float a bubble on the breath of fame. 
Prompt his endeavour, and engage his aim. 
Debased to fervile purpofes of pride, 
How are the pow'rs of genius mifapplie^ i 
Tlie gift, \vhofe office is the Giver*s praifci. 
To trace him in his word, his works, his ways I 
Then fpread the rich difcov*ry, and invite 
Mankind to fhare in the divine delight. 
Diflorted from its ufe and juft defign. 
To make the pitiful pofTeiTor ihine, 
To purchafe, at the fool-frequented fair, 
Of vanity, a wreath for felf to wear. 
Is profanation of the bafeft kind — 
Proof of a trifling and a worthlefs mind. 
A. Hail Sjternhold, then; and Hopkins, hail! 
jB. Amen. 
If flatt'ry, folly, luft, employ the pen j 
If acrimony, flander, and abufe. 
Give it a charge to blacken and traduce 5 
Though Butler's wit. Pope's numbers, Prior*s eafe, 
With all that fancy can invent to pleafe^ 
Adorn the polifh'd periods as they fall, 
One madrigal of their's is worth them all. 

VOL. I. D . 



34 TA31.B TA1.K. 

ji. *Twovli thin the ranks of the poetic tribe^ 
To daih the pen through all that you profcribe. 

B, No matter— *we could Ihift when they were 
not; 
And ihould;. no dovibX, if they were all forgot. 



THK 



PROGRESS OF ERROR. 



Si quid hquar audiendum* HoR. Lib. 4. Od« 2. 

SiNo^ mnfe, (if fuch a theme^ fo dark, fo long. 
May find a mufe to grace it with a fong) 
By what unfeen and unfufpeded arts 
The ierpent error twines round human hearts; 
Tdl where (he lurks, beneath what flow'ry fliades, 
That not a glimpfe of genuine light pervades. 
The pois*nou8> black, infinuating worm 
SuccefsfuUy conceals her loathfome form. 
Take, if ye can, ye carelefs and fupine, 
Couofel and caution from a voice like mine ! 
Truths, that the theorift could never reach. 
And obfervation taught me, I would teach. 

D 2 



36 THE PBOGRESS OP ERROR. 

Not all, whofe eloquence the fancj fills, 
Mufical as the chime of tinkling rills. 
Weak to perform, though mighty to pretend. 
Can trace her mazy windings to their end j 
Difcern the fraud beneath the fpecious lure. 
Prevent the danger, or prefcribe the cure. 
The clear harangue, and cold as it is clear. 
Falls foporific on the lilllefs ear ; 
Like quickfilver, the rhetVic they difplay 
Shines as it run$, but, grafp'd at, flips away. 

Placed for his trial on this bulling ihige. 
From thoughtlefs youth to ruminating age. 
Free in his will to choofe or to refufe, 
Man may improve the crifis, or abufe f 
£lfe, on the fatalids unrighteous plan, 
Say> to what bar amenable were man ? 
With nought in charge, he could betray no truft > 
And, if he fell, would fall becaufe he muft ; 
If love reward him, or if vengeance ftrike, 
His recompenfe is both unjuft alike. 
Divine authority within his breaft 
Brings' ev*ry thought, word, adion, to the teftj 
Warns him or prompts, approves him or reflrains> 
As reafon, or as pailion, takes the reins. 



THS PROORB8S OF BRROS. 37 

Heaven from aboye, and confcience from Within^ 
Cries in his Hartled ear — Abflain from fin 1 
The world around folidts his defire, 
And kindles in his foul a treachVous fire -, 
While, all his purpofes and fteps to guard. 
Peace follows virtue, as its fure reward ; 
And pleafure brings as furely in her train 
Remorfe, and forrow, and vindidive pain. 

Man, thus endued with an eledive voice. 
Mud be fupplied with obje6ts of his choice. 
Where'er he turns, enjoyment and delight. 
Or prefent, or in profpe6k, meet his fight ; 
Thofe open on the fpot their honey'd ftorej 
Thefe call him loudly to purfuit of more 
His unexhauAed mine the fordid vice 
Avarice fhows, and virtue is the price. 
Here various motives his ambition raife— 
Pow'r, pomp, and fplendour, and the thirft of praife; 
There beauty woes him with expanded arms; 
Fen Bacchanalian madnefs has its charms« 

Nor thefe alone, whoft plcafures, lefs refin*d. 
Might well alarm the mod unguarded mind. 
Seek to fupplant his inexperienc'd youth. 
Or lead him devious from the path of truth ; 



36 TUB FB0ORES8 OP SRROU 

Hoarlj allurements on his pafilons prefs^ 
Safe in themfelves, but dangVous in th* excefs. 

Hark I how it floats upon the dewy air I 
O what a dying, d3ring clofe was there ! 
Tis harmony from yon fequefter*d bow'r, 
Sweet harmony^ that fboths the midnight hour I 
Long ere the charioteer of day had run 
His morning courfe, th* enchantment was begun ; 
And he (hall gild yon mountain's height again^ 
Ere yet the pleafing toil becomes a pain. 

Is this the rugged path, the fteep aicent, 
That virtue pcnnts to ? Can a life thus fpent 
Lead to the blifs fhe promifes the wife^ 
Detach the foul from earth, and fpeed her to the 

ikies ? 
Ye devotees to your ador*d employ, 
£nthufia(t8, drunk with an unreal joy. 
Love makes the muiic of the bled above, 
Heav'n*s harmony is univerfal love ; 
And earthly founds, tho* fweet and well combined. 
And lenient as foft opiates to the mind. 
Leave vice and folly unfubdu*d behind. 

Gray dawn appears; the fportfman and his train 
Speckle the bofbm of the diftant plain 5 
6 



n 



THB P&06R18S OP B&ROB. 3p 

Tis he^ the Nimrod of the neighboring lairs -, 
Save that bis fcent is lefs acute than that's. 
For perfevering cbafe, and headlong leaps. 
True beagle as the ibiuncheft hound he keeps. 
Charged with the folly of his life's mad fcene. 
He takes offence, and wonders what you niean ; 
The joy the danger and the toil o'erpays^- 
Tis exercife, and health, and length of days. 
Again impetuous to the field he flies; 
Leaps ev*ry fence but one, there falls and dies; 
like a ilain deer, the tumbrel brings him home, 
Unmifs'd but by his dogs and by his groom. 
Ye clergy; while your orbit is your place. 
Lights of the world, and ^rs of human race; 
But, if eccentric ye forfake your fph^, 
Prodigies ominous, and view*d with fear. 
The oomet*8 baneful influence is a dream ; 
Your's real, and pernicious in th* extreme. 
What then I-^are appetites and luds laid down 
With the fame eafe that man puts on his gown ? 
Will avVice and concupifcence give place, 
Charm*d by the founds— Your RevVence, or Your 
Grace ? 



40 THE PROGRESS OP ERROR. 

No. Bat his own engagement binds him fail^ 
Or, if it does not, brands him to the laft, 
What atheifis call him — a deligping knave> 
A mere church juggler, hypocrite, and ilave. 
Oh, laugh or mourn with me the rueful jeft, 
A caifock'd huntfman and a fiddling prieft I 
He from Italian fonglters takes his cue : 
Set Paul to mufic, he (hall quote him too. 
He takes the field. The mader of the pack 
Cries — Well done, faint ! and daps him on the 

back. 
Js this the path of fandity? Is this 
To fiand a way-mark in the road to blifs ? 
Himfelf a wandrer from the narrow way. 
His filly (h^p, what wonder if they firay ? 
Go, cafl your orders at your bi(hop*s feet. 
Send your diihonour*d gown to Monmouth-fireet 1 
The facred fundion in your hands is made — 
Sad facrilege ! — no fun^on, but a trade ! 

Occiduus is a pafior of renown, 
When he has pray*d and preach*d thefabbath dowB; 
With wire and catgut he concludes the day, 
"Qaav*ring and femiquavVing care ayray. 



THE PBOO&B88 OP BXHOR. 4t 

TThe fall concerto fwells upon your ear; 
All elbows ihake. Look ia, aod you would fwear 
The Babylonian tyrant with a nod 
Had fummon'd them to ferve his golden god. 
So well that thought th* employment Teems to fuit, 
Pfalt'ry and fackbut, dulcimer and flute. 
Oh fie 1 'tis evangelical and pure: 
Obferve each face, how fober and demure 1 
Ecftafy iets her flamp on ev*ry mien 5 
Chins fairn, and not an eye-ball to be feen. 
Still I infifly though mufic heretofore 
Has charm'd me much, (not e en Occiduus more) 
Love, joy, and peace, make harmony more meet 
for fabbath evenings, and perhaps as fweet. 
Will not the ficklieft fheep of ev'ry flock 
Refort to this example as a rock ; 
There fiand, and juftify the foul abufe 
Of fabbath hours with plaufible excufe ? 
If apoflolic gravity be free 
To play the fool on Sundays^, why not we? 
If he the tinkling harpiichord regards 
As inofienfive, what offence in cards ? 
Strike up the fiddles, let us all be gay I 
Laymen have leave to dance, if parfons play 



42 THB PROOKBSS OF BAROl. 

Oh Italy !— thy fabbaths will be fooa 
Our fabbaths, clos'd with mxxinam'ty and bttffoon. 
Preaching and pranks will ihare the motley fcene: 
Our*s parcell'd out, as thine have ever been, 
God's worlhip and the mountebank between. 
What fays the prophet ? Let that day be bleft 
With holinefs and confecrated red. 
Paftime and bus*nefs both it ihould exclude. 
And bar the door the moment they intrude | 
Nobly diilinguiih'd above all the fix. 
By deeds in which the world mufl never mix. 
Hear him again. He calls it a delight, 
A day of luxury, obferv*d aright. 
When the glad foul is made heav*n*s welcome gueft, 
Sits banqueting, and God provides the feail. 
But triflers are engag*d and cannot come ; 
Their anfwer to the call is— iVb/ at home. 

Oh the dear pleafures of the velvet plain. 
The painted tablets, dealt and dealt again. 
Cards, with what rapture, and the polifh*d die^ 
The yawning chafm of indolence fupply ! 
Then to the dance, and make the fober moon 
Witnefs of joys that Piun the iight of noon. 



THB PROGRESS OP BRHOR. 43 

Blame, cthic, if you can, quadrille or ball, 
The fnug clofe party, or the fpleudid ball, 
Where night, dawn-Hooping from her ebon throne. 
Views conilellations brighter than her own. 
*Tis innocent, and harmlefs, and refin'd ; 
The balm of care, elyiiam of the mind. 
Innocent ! Oh, if venerable time 
Slain at the foot of pleafure be no crime. 
Then, with his filver beard and magic wand. 
Let Comus rife archbifhop of the land ', 
Let him your rubric and yoar feafts prefcribe. 
Grand metropolitsCn of all the tribe. 

Of manners rough, and coarfe athletic call, 
The rank debauch fuits Clodio's filthy tafie. 
Rufillus, exquifilely formed by rule, 
Not of the moral, but the dancing fchool. 
Wonders at CIodio*s follies^ in a tone 
As tragical, as others at his own. 
He cannot drink five bottles, bilk the fcore, 
Then kill a conftaljle, and drink five more j 
But he can draw a pattern, make a tart. 
And has the ladies etiquette by heart. 
Go, fool ', iind, arm in arm with Clodio, plead 
Your caufe before a bar you little dread -, 



4^ ITHB FE06BB88 OF BRROK. 

But know, the law that bids the drunkard die 

Is far too juft to pafs the trifler by. 

Both baby-featur*d, and of infant (ize, 

View'd from a diftance, and with heedlefs eyes. 

Folly and innocence are fo alike, 

The diiTrence, though eflential, fails to fbike« 

Yet folly ever has a vacant flare, 

A iimp'ring countenance, and a trifling air^ 

But innocence, fedate, ferene, ered. 

Delights us, by engaging our refped. 

Man, nature's guell by invitation fweet. 

Receives from. her both appetite and treat ; 

But, if he play the glutton and exceed, 

His benefadrefs bluihes at the deed. 

For nature, nice, as lib'ral to difpenfe. 

Made nothing but a brute the flave of fenfe. 

Daniel ate pulfe by choice— example rare ! 

Heav*n blefs^d the jouth, and made him frefli and 

fair. 
Gorgonius fits, abdominous afid wan. 
Like a fat fquab jupon a Chinefe fan : 
He fnufFs far oflfth* anticipated joy^ 
Tittle and venifon all his thoughts employ; 



THB PR0GEBS8 OF ERROR. 45 

Prepares for meals as jockies take a fweat. 
Oh, naofeous I — an emetic for a whet ! 
Will Providence overlook the wafted good ? 
Temperance were no virtue if he could. 

That pleafures, therefore, or what fuch we call. 
Are hurtful, is a truth confcfe'd by all. 
And fome, that feem to threaten virtue lefs. 
Still hurtful, in th* abufe, or bj th' exce&. 

Is man then only for his torment plac'd 
The centre of delights he may not tafte > 
Like fabled Tantalus, condemn*d to hear 
The precious ftream itill purling in his ear. 
Lip-deep in what he longs for, and yet curft 
With prohibition, aud perpetual thirft ? 
No, wrangler— defiitute of (hame and fenfe. 
The precept, that enjoins him abfUnence, 
Forbids him none but the licentious joy, 
Whofe fruit, though fair, tempts only to deftroy. 
Remorfe, the ^tal egg by pleafure laid 
In every bofom wh^re her nefl is made, 
Hatch*d by the beams of truth, denies him reft. 
And proves a raging fcorpion in his breaft. 
No pleafure ? Are domedic comforts dead } 
Are all the namelefs fweets of friendihip fled ? 



46 TBB PEOGKE88 OF BKROK. 

Has time worn out, or faihipo put to fliame, 
Good fenfe^ good health, good confcience, and 

good fame? 
All thefe belong to virtue, and all prove 
That virtue has a title to your love. 
Have you no touch of pity, that the poor 
Stand (larv*d at your inhofpitable door ? 
Or, if yourfelf, too fcantily fupplied, 
Need help^ let honefi induflry provide. 
Earn, if you want $ if you abound, impart : 
Thefe both are pleafures to the feeling heart. 
No pleafure ? Has fome fickly eaftem wafle 
Sent us a wind to parch us at a blaft ? 
Can Britilh paradife no fcenes afford 
To pleafe her fated and indiiTrent lord ? 
Are fweet philofophy*s enjoyments run 
Quite to the lees ? And has religion none ? 
Brutes capable, would tell you *tis a lie. 
And judge you from the kennel and the dye. 
Delights like thefe, ye fenfual and profane. 
Ye are bid, begg'd, befought to entertain 5 
Caird to thefe cry ftal flreams, do ye turn off, 
Obfcene, to fwill and fwallow at a trough ? 



TBB YJtOQRBIS OF SXmOJt. 4? 

Envy tbe hesift, then, oo whom beav'n beftows 
Your pl^faresy with no curfes in the dofe* 

Pleafare admitted in undue degree^ 
Enilaves the will» nor leaves the judgment free. 
Tils not alone the grape's enticing juice 
Unnerves the mpral pow'rs^ and man their ufe ; 
Ambition, avarice, and the luft of fame^ 
And woman, lovely woman, does the fame. 
The heart, furrender'd to the ruling pow*r 
Of fome ungovern*d paffion ev'ry hour, 
Finds, by degrees, the truths that once bore fway. 
And all their deep impreifions, wear away. 
So coin grows fmooth, in traffic current pafs'd. 
Till Caefar's image is efiac'd at lafl. 

The breach, though fmall at firfl, foon op'ning 
wide. 
In rufiies folly with a full-moon tide. 
Then welcome errors, of whatever fize. 
To juftify it by a thoufand lies. 
As creeping ivy clings to wood or flone. 
And hides the rain that it feeds upon -, 
So fophidry cleaves clofe to, and proteds, 
Sio's rotten trunks concealing its defe^ 



48 THE PROGRESS OF ERROR. 

Mortals, whofe pleafures are their only care, 
Firfi wiih to be imposed jon» and then are. 
And, left the fulfome artifice ihould fail, 
Themfelves will hide its coarfenef» with a veil. 
Not mor6 induftrious are the juft and true 
To give to virtue what is virtue's due— 
The praife of wifdom, comelineis> and worth ; 

And call her charms to public notice forth — 

« 

Than yice/s mean and difingenuous race 
To hide thq Shocking features of her face. 
Her form with drefs and lotion they repair -, 
Then kifs their idol, and pronounce her fair. 

The facred implement I now employ 
Might prove a mifchief, or at beft a toy.; 
A tri£e, if it move but to amufe : 
But, if to wrong the judgment and abufe, 
Worfe than a poignard in the bafeft hand. 
It ftabs at once the morals of a land. 

Ye writers of what none with fafety reads. 
Footing it in the dance that fancy leads : 
Ye novelifts, who mar what ye would mend. 
Sniveling and driv'ling folly without end 3 
Whofe correfponding miftes fill the ream 
With fentimental frippery and dream. 



TAB FR06HES8 OF BRROft. 4g 

Caught in a delicate foft filken net 
By fome lewd earl, or rake-hell baronet : 
Ye pimps^ who, under virtue*^ fair pretence^ 
Steal to the' clofet of young innocence. 
And teach her, unexperienced yet and green, 
To fcribble as you fcribbled at fifteen; 
Who, kindling a combuftijon of defire. 
With fome cold moral think to quench the fire ; 
Though all your engineering proves in vain. 
The dribbling iiream ne'er puts it out again : 
Oh that a verfe had powV, and could command 
Far, far away, thefe fiefh-fiies of the land ; 
Who fafien without mercy on the fair, 
And fuck, and leave a craving maggot there. 
Howe*er difguis*d th' inflammatory tale, 
And covered with a fine-fpun fpedous veil ; 
Such writers, and fuch readers, owe the gud 
And relifh of their pleafare all to luft. 

But the mufe, eagle-pinion*d, has in view 
A quarry more important fiill than you ; 
Down, down the wind (he fwims, and fails away; 
Now ftoops upon it, and now grafps the prey, 

Petronius ! all the mufes weep for thee ; 
But evVy tear (hall fcald thy memory : 

VOL. I. E 



.50 Tl££ .PR06RCS8 OF BfiHOR- 

The graces, too, while virtue at their ihriDe 
Lay bleediQg under that foft hand of thine^ 
Felt each a mortal iiab m her owd breafi, 
Abhorr'd the facrifice, and curft the prie&. 
Thou poHih*d and htgh4intiii*d foe to truth, 
Gray-beard corrupter of our lift mng youth. 
To purge and ikim away the filth of vice, 
That, fo refined, it ionight the more eatice, 
Then pour it on the morals of thy fon,. 
To taint ^h heart, was worthy of t^e vwn ! 
Now, while the poijibo all high life pervades. 
Write, if thou can'ft, one ktter from the fhadesj 
One, and one only, charg'd with deep regret 
That thy worft part, thy principles, live yet ; 
One fad epiftle thence may cure mankind 
Of the plague fpread by bundles left behind. 
*Tis granted, and no plainer truth appears. 
Our mofl important' are our earlieR years j 
The nund, imprefiible and foft, with eafe 
Imbibes and copies what (he hears and fees. 
And through lifers labyrinth holds faft the clue 
That education gives her, falfe or true. 
Plants rais'd with tendernefs are feldom flrong; 
Man's coltifh difpofition aiks the thongs 



TBB PX06BES8 OF BRKOB. 51 

And, without difcipline, the lav^rite child. 
Like a negleded forefter, nios wild. 
But we, as if good qualities would grow 
Spontaneous, take but little pains to fow $ 
We give fome Latin^ and a ftnatch of Greek 5 
Teach him to fence and figure twice a week; 
And, having done, we think, the beft we can, 
Praife his proficiency, and dub him man. 

From fchool to Cam or Ifis, and thence home ; 
And thence, with all convenient fpeed to Rome, 
With revVend tutor, clad in habit lay. 
To teafe for caih, and quarrel with, all dayj ' 
With memorandum-book for ev'ry town. 
And ev*ry poft, and where the chaife broke dowo| 
His flock, a few French phrafes got by heart j 
With much to learn, but nothing io'impart, . 
The youth, obedient to his fire's commands, • 
Sets off a wandVer into foreign lands. ^ 

Surprised at all they meet, the goAing pair> 
With awkward gait, llretch'd neck, and fiUy flare, f 
Difcover huge cathedrals, built with flone,: 
And fleeples tow'ring high, much like bur own; 
But fhow peculiar light by many a grin 
At popifh praftices obferv*d within. 

E2 



te THE PR06KC8S OP BttOl. 

Ere long, iome bowing, foiirking, fmait abbe, 
Remarlu two Joif ren that hare loft their way j 
And, being always prim'd with foSuffg 
For meo of tbeir appearance and addrefs. 
With mocb oompaffioit undertakes tbe taik 
To tell them— more than they have wit to aik * 
Pointo to inicriptiona wherefoe'er they tread, 
Snch as, when legible, were never read, 
Bnt, being canker d now and half worn out, 
Craase antiquarian brains with endleis doabt ^ 
Some headlefs hero, or feme Cae^r ihows — 
Defedive only in his Roman nofe ; 
Exhibits elevations, drawings, plans. 
Models of Hercfllanean pots and pans } 
And iells them medals, which, if neither rare 
Nor ancient, will be {6, preferv'd with care. 
Strange the recital I from whatever caufe 
I& great improvement and new lights he draws. 
The fquire, once baihful, is ibame-fac'd no more. 
But teems with pow'rs he never fdt before; 
Whether increas'd momentum, and the force 
With which from dime to clime he fped his cour fe, 
(As asdes fometimes kindle as they go) 
Chafd him, and broi^bt dull nature to a glow; 



THl PitOGSBSS OF BAMOft. 5S 

Or whether clearer ikies and £c&er air. 
That make Italian flow'rt io fweet and fair, 
Preih'nuig his lazj ^rits as he ran. 
Unfolded genially, and fpread the man; 
ftetumiug, he proclaims, by many a grace, 
By flirags, and ftrange contortions of his face, 
How orach a dunce that has been fent to roam, 
Ezods a donee that has been kept at home. 

Acoomplifliments have taken virtue's place. 
And wifdom falls before exterior grace ; 
We flight the precious kernel of the done. 
And toil to poliih its rough coat alone. 
A joft deportment, manners grac*d with eafe, 
Elegant phrafe, and fignre foim*d to pleafe. 
Are qualities that feem to comprehend 
Whatever parents, guardians, fchools, intend -, 
Hence an onfnnuih'd and a lifllels mind, 
Tboogh bofy, trifling; empty, thoogh refined; 
Hence all that interferes, and dares to dafli 
ll^th indolence and luxury, is trafli $ 
While learning, once the man's exdufive pride. 
Seems verging faft towards the female fide. 
Learning itfelf, received into a mind 
By nature weak, or vidoufly indin'd. 



M T0£ FKOORBSS OF BBJtOm. 

Serves but to lead {)hllofopbc;rs aiilray> 
Where bhildren wotild with eafe difcfcm the way. 
And, of all arts fagacious di^pes invent, 
^To cheat thomfelves and g^in th^ world's aiTent, 
The worft is— fcripture warp'd from its intent. 

The carriage bowls along, and all are pleas'd. 
If Tom be fober^ and the wheels well greas'd; 
But, if the rogue have gone i cup too far^ 
Left out hifi linoh-pin^ or forgot his taf> 
It fuffers interruption and delay, 
And meets with hindrance in the fosootheft "^ay* 
When fome hypothecs abfard and ^ain 
Has fiird with ^H its fumes a critic's brain. 
The text that forts not with his darling whioiy 
Though plain to others, is obfcure to hinu 
The will made fubje6t to a lawlefs forces 
All is irregular, and out of courfe$ 
And judgment drUnk> and bribed to lofe his way, 
Winks hard, and talks of darknefs at noon-day. 

A critic on the Oicred book fibould be 
Candid and learn'd, dilpaliionate and free ) 
Free from the wayward bdas bigots feel. 
From fancy's influence^ and intempVate soeal: 



THE rAOOBESS OF SBftOa. SS 

But^ above all> (or Idt the wretch refrain^ 
Nor touch the page he cannot but profan^ 
Free from the doaoiiieeEing powV of luft ; 
A lewd interpreter is otyacyaA. 

How fhall I fpeak thee, or thy pow*T addrefs. 
Thou god of our idolatry, the preis ? 
By thee, rdigion, liberty, and lawd. 
Exert their infiuenGe, and advance their caufe; 
By thee, worie plagues than I%aradh*8 land befel, 
Diffus'd, make earth the vcftibule of hell ; 
Thou fountain, at which drink the good and vn(^; 
Thou ever-bubbling fpring of cndlcfs lies 5 
Like £den*s dread probationary tree. 
Knowledge of good and evil is from thee. 

No wild enthnfiaft ever yet could reft 
Till iudf mankind .were like hiibfelf poHefsM. 
Philofophers, who darken and put out 
Eternal truth by everlal^ng doubt ^ 
Church quacks, with pailions under no command. 
Who fill the world with dodiines contraband, 
DifcovVers of they know not what, confin'd 
Within no bounds — the blind that lead the blind ; 
To dreams of popular opinion drawn, 
Depoiit in thofe (hallows all their fpawn. 



50 THB PXOOABS8 OF BRHOR. 

The wriggling fry foon fiU the creeks around. 

Poisoning the waters where their fwarms abound. 

Scom'd by the nobler tenants of the flood. 

Minnows and gudgeons gorge th* unwholefdme 

food. 
The propagated myriads fpread fo fali, 

£*en Leuwenhoeck himfelf would fland aghaft. 

Employed to calculate th* enormous fum. 

And own his crab-computing powVs overcome. 

Is this hyperbole ? The worJd well knowB> 

Your fober thoughts will hardly find it one. 

Frefh confidence the fpeculatifi takes 

From evVy hair-brain*d profelyte be makes ; 

And therefore prints : himfelf but half deceiv*d. 

Till others have the foothing tale beliey*d. . 

Hence comment after comment, fpun as fine 

As bloated fpiders draw the fiimfy line : 

Hence the fame word, that bids our luHs obey« 

Is mifapplicd to fandify their fway. 

If ilubborn Greek refufe to be his friend, 

Hebrew or Syriac (hall be forc*d to bend : 

If languages and copies all cry, N< 

Somebody proved it centuries ago. 



THS PXOORESS OF ERROR. ^J 

Like trout purfucd, the critic, in defpair, . 
Darts to the mad» aod finds his fafety thbre. 
Women, whom cuftom has forbid to fly 
The fcholar's pitch, (the fcholar belt knows why) 
With all the fimple and unlettered poor, 
Admire his learning, and almoft adore. 
Whoever errs, th^ prieft can ne'er be wrong. 
With fuch fine words familiar to his tongue. 

Ye ladies ! (for, indiff*rent in your caufe, 
I fhould deferve to forfeit all applaufe) 
Whatever Hiocks, or gives the leaft offence 
To virtue, delicacy, truth, or fenfe, 
(Try the criterion, *tis a faithful guide) 
Nor has, nor can have, fcripture on its fide. 

None but an author knows an author's cares. 
Or fancy's fondnefs for the child ihe bears. 
Committed once into the public arms. 
The baby feems to fmile with added charms. 
Like fomething precious ventured far from ihore, 
Tis valued for the danger's fake the more. 
He views it with complacency fupreme. 
Solicits kind attention to his dream} 
And daily, more enamour'd of the cheat. 
Kneels, and aiks heav'n to blefs the dear deceit. 



^ TUS FSOGUtBSS OF Xft«Oft. . 

So one, whofe ftoiy £et90& at leaft to &ow 
Men lor'd their own produfiionft koig tgo, 
Woo'd an lanfediing ftatdefor Ids wife. 
Nor refined till the gods had gi^en it life> 
If feme mere drivler fuck tfaeftigar'd fib^ 
One that flUl needs his leodiog-flring and faib. 
And praife his genios, he is foon repaid 
In praife applied to the fanie part-— hSs head. 
For *tls a rule, that holds for ever true. 
Grant me difcernment, and I grant it you. 

Patient of con tradition, as a child 
Affable, humble, di^ffident, and mild 5 
Such was iir Ifaac, and fuch Boyle and Locke : 
Your blundVer is as fturdy ^ a rock. 
The creature is fo fure to kick and bite, 
A muleteer's the man to fet him ri^t. 
Firft appetite enlifls him truth's fworn foe, 
Then obflinate felf-will confirms him fo,. 
Tell him he wanders ; that his error leads 
To fatal ills 5 that, though the path he treads 
Be flow*ry, and he fee no caufe of fear. 
Death and the pains of hell attend him there 5 
In vain 5. the Have of arrogance and pride, 
He has no hearing on the prudent fide. 



TH£ PSOGSJBSS OP ERROX^ 5) 

His fHU-refuted ijairks lie fiill repeats ; 
New-rais'd objediois with new quibbles meets; 
Till, linking in the quickfand he defends. 
He dies difpatin^ and the contefl ends — 
But not the mifchiefs; thej, Jftill left behind. 
Like thiftle- feeds, are fawn by eVry wind. 

Thus men go wiong with an ingenious fldil ; 
Bend the straight role to their own crooked will ; 
And, with a dear and fhining lamp fupplied, 
¥itA put it out, then take it for a guide. 
Halting on crutches of unequal iize ; 
One leg by truth fupported, one by lies i 
They iidle to the goal with awkward pace. 
Secure of nothing — but to lole the race. 

Faults in the life breed errors in the brain: 
And thefe, reciprocally, thoTe again. 
The mind and condu^ mutually imprint 
And (bamp their image in each other^s mint : 
Each, fire and dam of an infernal race. 
Begetting and ccniceiving all that's bafe. 

None fends his arrow to the mark in yiew, 
Whofe hand is feeble, or his aim untrue. 
For though, ere yet the ihaft is on the wing, 
Or when it firfl foifakes th* elailic ^ring, 



€0 THE PKOGRiSS OP BJIRaR. 

It err but little from th* intended line. 
It falls at laA far wide of his delign : 
So he, who fceks a manfion in the Iky, 
'Muft watch his purpofe with a ftedfaft eye ; 
That prize belongs to none bat the finoere. 
The leaft obliquity is fatal here. 

With caution tafte the fweet Circean cup : 
He that fips of\en, at lafl drinks it up. 
Habits are foon aifutn'd ; but, when we flrive 
To flrip them off, 'tis being flay*d alive. 
Caird to the temple of impure delight. 
He that abflains, and he alone, does right. 
If a wifh wander that way, call it home 5 
He cannot long be fafe whofe wifhes roam. 
But if you pafs the threihold, you are caught ; 
Die then, if pow'r Almighty fave you not. 
There, hardening by degrees, till double fleel'd. 
Take leave of nature's God, and God reveal'd 5 
Then laugh at all you trembled at before ; 
And, joining the free-thinkers brutal roar. 
Swallow the two grand pofbrums they difpenfe- 
That fcripture lies, and blafphemy is fenfe. 
If clemency revolted by abufe 
Be damnable^ then damn'd without excufe. 



THB PK06RBSS OP BKROS* 6l 

Some-dream that thej can filence when the^ will 
The florm of paffion^ and Cblj, Peace, heJitU^ 
But " Thus far and no farther ^ when addrefs*d 
To the wild wave, or wilder human breaft> 
Implies authority that never can. 
That never ought to be the lot of man. 

But, mufe, forbear 5 long flights forebode a fall ; 
Strike on the deep-ton'd chord the fum of all. 

Hear the juft law — the judgment of the ikies I 
He that hates truth ihall be the dupe of lies : 
And he that ivill be cheated to the lafl, 
Delufions^ flrong as hell, fhall bind him fad. 
But, if the wand'rer his xniflake difcern. 
Judge his own way 9, and (igh for a return. 
Bewildered once, mud he bewail his lofs 
For ever and for ever ? No — the crofs ! 
There, and there only (though the deift rave. 
And atheifl, if earth bear fo bafe a ilave); 
There and there only, is the pow'r to fave. 
There no delufive hope invites defpair } 
No mockry meets you, no deception, there. 
The fpells and charms, that blinded you before. 
All vaniih there, and fafcinate no more. 



Ql TUB PB06SE8S OV ERBOK. 

I am no preacher^ let this hint fnffice-r- 
The cro&f once feen, is death to ty'ry vice: 
£lfe he that hong there fuffer'd all his pain> 
Bled; groan'd and agoniz'd; and died^ in vain. 



TRUTH. 



VenfantuT trutind. HoR. Lib. II, Epift. 1. 

Man, on the dubious waves of error tofs*d. 
His fhip half founder'd, and bis^compafs loft, 
Sees, far as human optics may command, 
A fleeping fog, and fancies it dry land: 
Spreads all his convafs, ev*ry finew plies; 
Pants for't, aims at it, enters it, and dies I 
Then ferewell all felf-fatisfying fchemes. 
His well-built fyftems, philofophic dreams ; 



Deceitful views of future blifs, farewell \ 
He reads his fentence at the flames of hell. 
Hard lot of man — to toil for the reward 
Of virtue, and yet lofe it ! Wherefore hard ? — 
He that would win the race mufl guide his horfe 
Obedient to the cuftoms of the courfe 3 



64 TRUTH. 

£lfe^ though unequaird to the goal he flies, 
A meaner than himfelf (hall gain the prize. 
Grace leads the right way: if you choofe the wrong. 
Take it, and periih ; but retrain 3rour tongue. 
Charge not, with light fufficient, and left free. 
Your wilful fuicide on God*s decree. 

Oh how unlike the complex works of man, 
Heav'n's eafj, artlefs, unincumbered, plan ! 
No meretricious graces to beguile. 
No clufl*ring ornaments to clog the pile ; 
From oflentation, as from weaknefs> free. 
It iitands like the cerulean arch we fee, 
Majeflic in its own fimplicity. 
Infcrib*d above the portal, from afar 
Confpicuous as the brightnefs of a filar. 
Legible only by the light they give. 
Stand the foul-quick'ning words-^BELiEVB, and 

LIVB ! 

Too roany,{hock*dat what ihould charm them moft, 

Defpife the plain diredtion, and are lod. 

Heav*n on fuch terms ! (they cry,with proud difdain) 

Incredible, impoifible, and vain ! — 

Rebel, becaufe *tis cafy to obey -, 

And fcorn, for its own fake, the gracious way. 



TROTH. 65 

» 

Tfaefe are tho fober^ in whofe cooler iMrains 
Some thought of inutaortaltty remains > 
The re^, too bu€y, or too gskj, to wait 
Oa the fad thesae^ their everlaitiog ftate^ 
Sport for a day, aod pertih in a night ; 
The foana npoo the waters not fo light. 

Who judg'd the pharifee ? What odious cauie 
£xpos<i him to the vengeance of the laws ? 
Had he feduc*d a virgin, wroag*d a friend. 
Or ftabb*4 a man to ferve {omt private end? 
Was blafphemy his fin ? Or did he ftray 
From the fdn€t duties of the facred day ? 
Sit long and late at the caroufing board? 
{Such were the fins with which he charged his Iiord.) 
No— the man*s morals were exad. What then ? 
Twas his ambition to be feen of men 3 
His virtues were his pride $ and that one vice 
Made all his virtues gewgaws of no price ; 
He wore them, as fine trappings, foe a {how 5 
A praying, fynagogue-frequenting, beau. 

The felf-applanding bird, the peacock, Xee— 
Mark what a fumptuous pharifee la he 1 
Meridian fun-beams tempt him to unfold 
His radiant glories ; azure, green, and gold : 

VOL. I. F 



66 TROTH. 

He troads 81 i^ £omQ iblemp mufic o«>^» 
His meafur*d fop w^re governed by bis ear 9 
And feema to fay — ^Ye meaner ft>wl, give p^acei 
I am all ijple&douT, dignity, and gr^oe 1 

Not fo the ph^^fant on bis chsrmi prefomes. 
Though he» too, has a glory in liia plume«. 
He, chridiao like, retrea/U with oodeil toien 
To the clofecopfe, or far-fequefter*d green. 
And fhlDesy without; defiring to be feen* 
The plea of works, as arrogant and vaip> 
Heav'n turns from with abborr^noe aind difdaio : 
Not more ailronted by avow*d nc^gli^. 
Than by the mere diifembler's feigp'd refpeA. 
What is all rigbteou&efs that men d^viie } 
Wbatr-^t a fordid bargain for the flues? 
But Chrift as foon would abdicate bis OWO) 
As fioop from heav*n to feU the proud a throne* 

His dwelling a recefs in fome rude rqck ; 
Book, beads, and niaple-difb, his meagre dock 5 
In ihirt of hair and weeds of canvafs dre&'d^ 
Grirt with a bell-rope that the pope Has blefs'd -, 
Aduil with fhipesy tidd out for evVy crimei 
And fore tormented, long before his time; 
His prayV preferred to faints that caqnot aid; 
His praife podpon'd, and never to be paid ; 



T H U T K. 67 

See the &ge bennit, by fDdokiod adiDlr*4» 
With all tbdt bigotiy adopts iDfpir*d, 
Wearing oQt life in bis religicms wbim* 
Till his religious whimfy weain aot bim« 
His works, bis abflineiic^ hjis s|eal> 8llow*d» 
You think bim bnoibkr^God accounti iim prowl* 
High ifi*^inaiid» though lo^ly in pretend. 
Of all his condoft this the genuine, feofe--^ 
My penitential ftripes» my ftreamiug blood. 
Have purchased heav*n, and prove my title good. 

Turn eaftward now, and faoey^all apply 
To your weak iigbt her tdefeopic eye. 
The bramin kiodlos on his own bare head 
The facred fitt«-*4ielf-torturing his trade t 
His voluntary pains» fevere and long, 
Would give a barbVous air to Briti(h fong; 
No grand iaqnifitor could worfe invent, 
Than he contrives, to foffer, well contesit. 

Wbkb is the faintlier worthy of the two ? 
Pad «U difpule^ yon anchorite lay you. 
Youi: fenteoce and mine difer. What*s a name ? 
I fay the Inramin bas the fairer cjbim. 
If fufiPrings, fcripture no where recommends, 
Devis'd by felf, to anfwer felfiih ends, 

F2 



♦68 T R UTH. 

^Give faktlhip, then all Europe noiift argt«e 
Ten ilarvling hermits fuflfer Icfs than he. 

The truth is (if the truth may fuityour eanr, 
And prejudice haTC left a paifage dear) 
Pride has attained its nioft luxuriant growth. 
And poifon'd evVy virtue in them both. 
Pride may be pamper'd while the flcfli grows lean.5 
Humility may clothe ^n'^ngliih dean ^ 
That grace was Cowper*s— his, confefs'd by ail- 
Though plac'd in golden -Durham's fecond ftall. 
Not all the plenty of a biihop*s board. 
His palace, and his lacqueys, and " My Lord," 
More nouriHi pride, that condefcending vice, 
Than abflinence, and beggary, and lice ; 
It thrives in mis*ry, and abundant grow»; 
In mis' ry fools upon themfclves impofe. 

But why .before us proteftants produce 
An Indian myftic, or a French reclufe ? 
Their iin is plain 5 but what have we te fear. 
Reformed, and well inilrud^d? Youihall hear. 

Yon ancient prude, whofe withered features fliow 
She might be young Tome forty years ago. 
Her elbows pinion'd clofe upon her hips, 
Her head ered, her fan upon her lips, 



TRUTH. ,6^ 

Her eje-brows^arcb'd, her eyes both gone aftray. 
To watch yon amVousr couple.in their play» . 
With boDy and unkerchief *d.neck^ defi.es 
The rude inclemency of wintry ikies^ 
And fails, with lappet-head and mincing airs>. 
Buly, at dink of bell^ to morning pra/rs*. 
To thrift and pariimony n)uch inclin*d^. 
She yet allows herfelf that boy behind; 
The ihiv*ring. urchin,, bending as he goes. 
With; ilip-ihod heels-, and dew»drop at his nofe ; 
His predeceflbr*s coat advanc*d to wear. 
Which future pages yet are doomed to ibacei-. . 
Carries her bible, tuck'd beneath his arm,. 
And hides his hands, to keep. his Bngers warm*. 

She, half an aogel in her. own account. 
Doubts not hereafter with .the faints to mount,. 
Though not a grace appears, on dridteft fksLtch, 
But that fhe faljs, and, ium, goes to church. 
Confcious of age,, (be recolleds .her youth. 
And tells, not always with an eye to truth. 
Who fpann*d her waifi, and who, where*er he came, . 
5crawrd upon glafs mifs Bridgets lovely name >. 
Who ftole her flipper, fill'd it with tokay. 
And drank the little bumper ev!ry day. 



70 T AtJ t U. 

Of temper as enveDom'd ks an afp5 

Cenforioxis^ and h«r evVy word a wafp ; 

la faithful mem Vyibe records the Crimea, 

Or real^ or fi6titious, of the times ^ 

Laughs at the reputations ihe has torn. 

And holds them, dangliog at arms length, io fcoru. 

Such are the fruits of fandimonious prtde» 
Of malice fed while flefli h nK)rtified e 
Take, Madam, the reward of all your prayVs, 
Where hermits and where braminsmeet with theirs; 
Your portion is with them. — ^Nay» never frowns 
But, if you pleafe, fome fathoms lower down. 

Artift, attend J your bruihes and your t»int-— 
Produce them — take a chair-^now draw a faint. 
Oh, forrtiwful and fad I the fireaming tears 
Channel her cheeks — a Niobe appears t 
Is this a faint ? Throw tints and all away— • 
True piety is cheerful as the day; 
Will waep> indeed, and heave a pitying groan. 
For others' woes, but fmiks upon her own. 

What purpofe has the King of faints in view ? 
Why falls the gofpel like a gracious dew ? 
To call up plenty from the teeming earth. 
Or curfe the defert with a tenfold dearth ? 



TRUTH* 7^ 

Is it that Adam's ofTspring may be fav'd 
From fervile fesLV, or be the more enilav*d ? 
To looTe the links that gall'd mankind before. 
Or bind them fader on, and add flill more ? 
The freebom Chriftian has no chains to prove ; 
Or, if a chain, the golden one of love : 
No fear attends to quench his glowing fires,. 
What fear he feels his gratitude infpireSk 
Shall he for fuch deliverance, freely wrought, 
Recompenfe ill } He trembles at the thought. 
His mafier's intVeft and his own, combin'd. 
Prompt ev'ry movement of his heart and mind : 
Thought, word, and deed, his liberty evince ; 
His freedom is the freedom of a prince. 
Man's obligation*s infinite, of courfe 
His life (hould prove that he perceives their force: 
His utmofl he can render is but fmall«- 
The principle and motive all in all. 
You have two fervants— .Tom, an arch, fly rogue. 
From top to toe the geta now in vogue. 
Genteel in figure, eafy in addrefs. 
Moves without noife, add fwift as an exprefs. 
Reports a meflage with a pleafing grace. 
Expert in all the duties of his place : 



72 TRUTH. 

Say, on what hinge does his obedience more t 

Has he a world of gratitude and love ? 

No, not a fpark — *tis all mere fharpefs play j 

He likes your houfe, your houfemaid, and your pay; 

Reduce his wages, or get rid of her, 

Tom quits you, with — Your moft obedient. Sir.. 

The dinner ferv'd, Charles takes his ufual ftand». 
Watches your eye, anticipates command j. 
Sighs, if perhaps your appetite ihould fail ; 
And, if he but fufpeSs a frown, turns pale y 
Confults all day your intVeft and your eafe. 
Richly rewarded if he can but pleaCe ; 
And, proud to make his firm attachment known,. 
To fave yoqr life would nobly riik his own. 

Now which (lands higheft in your ferious 
thought ? 
Charles, without doubt, fey you — ^and fo he ought j 
One a6t, that from a thankful heart proceeds^ 
Excels ten thoufand mercenary deeds. 

Thus heav n approves, as honefl and fihcere,. 
The work of genVous love and filial fear 5 
But, with averted eyes, th' omniifGieBt Judge 
Scorns the bafe hireling, and the flaviih drudge. 



T * U T H* 73i 

Where dwdl Ifaefem^tchlerftraiDte?— old Gmip 
cries* ; 

£v'n at your fide>.Sir> and before your.eye«^ 
The favourU few — th* cmhafiatts you defpife. 
Andy p]eaft*d at. hearty becaufe on holy ground - 
Somet]iine» a canting: hypocrite is. founds 
Beproach a people with hi» (ingle fall,. 
And cad his filthy raijment at them all. 
Attend 1 — an apt fimilitude ihall (how 
Whence fprings the condud that offends you fb*^ 
See where it, ihiokes along the founding plain. 
Blown all 9flant9 a driving, daihing. rain. 
Peal upon peal redoubling all around. 
Shakes it again, and fafler, to the ground f 
Now £aihing wide, now glancing as in play^ 
Swift beyond thought the lightnings dart away,. 
Ere yet it came the trav*ler urg*d his fieed. 
And hurried, but with unfuccefsful fpeed ', 
Now, drench'd throughout, and hopelefs of his ca(e^ 
He drops the rein> and leaves him to his pace.. 
Suppofe, unlook*d for in a fcene fo rude. 
Long hid by interpofing hill or wood. 
Some maniion, neat and elegantly drefs'd,. 
By fome kind hofpitable heart poflefs d,. 
Offer him warmth, fecurity, and reft y 



74 T K U T H« 

Think with what pleafure, fa£e> and at hk eafe. 
He hears the temped howling in the trees ; 
What glowing thanks his lips and heart employ, 
While danger pafi is turn*d to prefent joj. 
So fares it with the iinner, when he feels 
A growing dread of vengeance at his heels : 
His confcience, like a glaffy lake before^ 
Laih'd into foaming waves, begins to roar$ 
The law, grown clamorous, though ftlent long. 
Arraigns him— charges him with tv'ry wrong^^ 
Aflerts the rights of his offended L6rd ; 
And death, or reftitution, is the word i 
The laft impoffiUe, he fears the fird, 
And, having well deferv'd> experts the worft. 
Then welcome refuge, and a peaceful home -, 
Oh for a fhelter from the wrath to come ) 
Cruih me, ye rocks ; ye falling mountains, hide 
Or bury me in ocean's angry tide*-^ 
The fcruiiny of thofe all-feeing eyes 
1 dare not*-*And you need not, God replies j 
The remedy you want I freely give : 
The book fhall teach you— read, believe, and live! 
Tis done — the raging ftorm is heard no more, 
Mercy receives him on her peaceful ibore *, 



T K U T H. 75 

And Juftice^ guardian of the dread cotnmand^ 
Drops the red yengeance from his wilting hand* 
A foul redeem'd demands a life of praife) 
Hence the complexion of his future days. 
Hence a demeanour holy and unfpeck*d» 
And the world's hatred, as its fure tffed:. 

Some lead a life unblameable and juft> 
Their own dear virtue their unfhaken traft : 
They never fin--K>r, if (as all offend) 
Some trivial flips their daily walk attend. 
The poor are near at hand^ the charge is fmall, 
A flight gratuity atones for all ! 
For^ though the pope has loft his int*reil here. 
And pardons are not fold as once they were. 
No papift more defirous to compound. 
Than fome g^ave iinners upon £ngliih ground. 
That plea refuted, other quirks they feek— 
Mercy is infinite, and man is weak ; 
The future fhall obliterate the pad, 
And heav'n, no doubt, (hall be their home at laft. 

Come, then— a flill, fmall whifpcr in your ear- 
He has no hope who never had a fear; 
And he that never doubted of his flate, 
He may, perhaps — ^perhaps he may — too late. 



(}$ TRUTH. 

13ie path to bliis abouikb* with many a fnare ; 
L«anui^ u> ooe,. and wit, . however rare.. 
The Frenchman^ £rft in literary fame, 
(Mention' him, if. you pleafe.. Voltaire ?^-*-The 

fame.) 
With fpirit,. genius) eldc]uence, fupplied,: 
Liv'd lon^, wrote much, laugh^dheartily, and died. 
The fcripture was his jeft-book, whence he drew 
Bon mots to gaH the Chfiilian and the Jew. / . 
An infidel in healthy but what, whisn lick? 
oH — ^then a text would toubhhim at the quick.. 
View him at Paris, in: his lail; career : 
Surrounding throngs the demi-god revere ; . , . 
Exalted on his pedeftal of pride, 
And fum'd with frankincenfe on evVy fide;.. 
Hei: begs their flatt'ry with his lateft breath.;. 
And, -Another d'in't at lad, is prais'd to death !' 

Yon cottager, who weaves at her ov/n door, . 
Pillow and bobbins all her little ft6re ; 
Content, though mean; and cheerful, if not gay;. 
Shuffling her threads about the live-long day^ 
Jufl earns a fcanty pittance; and at night 
Lies down fecare, her heart and pocket light : 



\ 



n 



She, for berliutiible ffhere by nature fit. 
Has little' anderfianding, and no witv 
Receives no praife ; but though her lot be fuch, 
(Toillbme and indigent) fhe renders much 3 
Jud know6, and knows no more, her Bible tru&— 
A tra^h the brilliant Frenchman never knew; 
And in that charter reads, with -fparkiing ^es. 
Her title to a treafure in the ikies. 

Oh, happ7 peaiant ! Oh, unhappy bard I 
His the mere tinfel, her's the rich reward^ 
He praisM, perhaps, for ages yet to come; 
She never heard of half a mile from home j 
He, loft in errors, his vain heart prefers ; 
She, fafe in the iimplicity of her*«. 

Not many wife, rich, noble, or profound 
In fcience, win one inch of heav*nly ground. 
And is it not a mortifying thought 
The poor fhould gain it; and the rich ihould hot ? 
No — the volupfaries, who nc er forget 
One pleafure loft, lofe heav'n without regret ; 
Regret would roufe them, and give birth to pray'r; 
Prayer would add faith/ and faith would fix them 
there. 



Not that the Formerof uM aU in thU, 
Or aught he lioes^ is govero'd by capiice; 
The fappofition is r^leto with fiii» 
And bears the brand of blafpbemj' burnt io. 
Not fo— the filvcr trampet's heaVqly call 
Sounds for the poor, but founda alike for all : 
Kings are invited ; and^ would kings ob^, 
No daves on earth more welcome were than ihey : 
But royalty, nobilttj, and ftate/ •--:-'/ 
Are fucb a dead preponderating weighty 
That endlefs blifk, (how ilraage foe^^r it feem) 
In counterpoife» flies up and kicks the beam^ 
*Tis open> and ye cannot (BDter*«-^why? 
Becaufe ye will not, Conjrers would reply*^ 
And he fays much that many may difpute 
And cavil at with eafe^ but none refute. 
Oh, blefs*d efCtdt, of penury and want. 
The feed fown there, how vig*nn]s is the plant ! 
No foil like poverty for growth divine, 
As leaneft land fu|^Hes the richeft wine. 
Earth gives too little, givi^ only bread> 
To nouriCh pride, or turn the woakefl bead : 
To them the founding jargon of the fcbool^ 
Seems what it is — z cap and bells for fools : 



T R tJ T H» TQ 

The light they wdlk by, kin41ed from BboY^, 
Shows thesa t^e diort^fi way to life nnd love ; 
They, ilraogers tQ the 0(>atrQverfi«) fteW, 
Where deiiks, always ^Fd, yet fcorn to yield. 
And never chefck*d by what ipop^es the wife. 
Believe, ruih forwardt and pofbU the prize, 

Envy, ye great, the 4all qnletter'd fmall : 
Ye have mnoh caqfe for eovy-.-but not alU 
We boaft feme rich ones whom the gofpel fways; 
And one who wears a coronet, and prays } 
Like gleanic^ of an olive-tree, they ihow 
Here and there one upon the topmoft bough. 

How readily, upon the gofpel plap. 
That queltion has ita anfwer — ^What is man ? 
Sinful and weak, in ev*ry fcnfe a wretch ; 
An infirument, whoie c^xds, upon the ftretcbt 
And flmin'd to the laft fcrcw that he can bear, 
Yield only difcord in bis Maker s ear : 
Once the bleft refidence of truth divine. 
Glorious 3^$ Solyroa's interior {hrine^ 
Where, in bis own oracular abode. 
Dwelt vifibly the light-crcatiuj God ; 
But made long lince, Hke Babylon of old, 
A den of mifchiefs never to be told : 



60 TRUTH. 

And ftit, once miftrefs of the realms around, 
Nowfcatter'd wide, and no \<rhere to be found, 
As foon fhaU rife and reafcend the throne, 
By native pow'r and energy her own. 
As nature, at her own peculiar <x)ft, 
Reflore to man the glories he has loft. 
Go— bid the winter ceafe tot^iill the year 5 
Replace the wandering comet in his fphere; 
Then boaft (but wait for that unhop'd for hour) 
The felf-reftoring arm of human powV, 
But what IS man in his own proudvefteem ? 
Hear him— himfelf the poet and the theme : 
A monarch, cloth*d with majefiy and awe 3 
His mthd his icingdom, and his will his law^ 
Grace in his mien, and glory in his eyes. 
Supreme on earth, and worthy of the ikies. 
Strength in his heart, dominion in his nod. 
And, thunderbolts excepted, quiteaGrodI 

So iings he, charmed with hisbwnmind and form, 
The fong magnificent — ^the theme a worm I 
Himfelf fo much the fource of his delight, 
His Maker has no beauty in his fight. 
See where he fi-ts, contemplative and fix'd, 
Pleafure and wonder in bis features mix*d ; 



J 



TKUTH. . 81 

Eiis paffioDs tam-d, and all at his controul. 
How perfed the compoTure of his foul I 
Complacency has bi«ath*d a gentle gale 
O'er ati bis thoughts^ and fweird his eafj fail : 
His books well trimm*d, and in the gayeft ftyle. 
Like regimented coxcombs, rank and file. 
Adorn his intelle^ as well as (helves. 
And teach him notions fplendid as themfelves : 
The £ible only ftands negleded there^— 
Thongh that of all moft worthy of his care; 
And, like an infant, troublefome awake. 
Is left to ileep, for peace and quiet fake. 

What (hall the man defenre of human kind^ 
Whofe happy ikiU and indufhy, oombin*d. 
Shall prove (what argument could never yet) 
The Bible an impodure and a cheat ? 
The praifes of the libertine, profefs'd 
The worH of men, and curfes of the befl. 
^ Where Ihould the living, weeping o*er his woes; 
The dying, trembling at the awful clofe ; 
Where the b^tray*d, forfaken, and opprefs*d> 
The thoufands whom the world forbids to reft ; 
Where ihould they find, (tbofe comforts at an end 
The fcripture yields) or hope to find, i^ friend ? 

VOL. 1. G 



is TRUTH. 

Sorrow zhight mufe herfelf to niadnefs then; 

And^ feekitig eiile from the fight of men, 

Bury herfelf in folitudc profound, 

Grow frahttc with her pangs, and bite the ground. 

Thus dften unbelief, growij fick of life, 

flies to the fempting pool, or felon .knife. 

The jurj meet, the coroner is (hort. 

And It^haqr (he verdid of the court. 

Reverfe the fentence, let the truth be knotim. 

Such lunacy is ignorance alone. 

Thej knew tiot, what fome bifhops may not kabw, 

That fcripture is the Only cure of woe. 

That fidd Of promife, hoi/r it flings abroad 

Its odour 0*61- the Chriiliaii*8 thorny road ! 

The foul, repofiog on aflur'd relief, 

Feels herfelf happy amidit all her grief. 

Forgets her labour as ihe toils along. 

Weeps tears of joy, and burfls into a fong. 

But the fame wdrd, that, like the polifli*d (harft, 
Ploughs up the roots of a believer s care, 
Kills, too, the flowVy weeds, where'er they grow^ 
Thai bind the (innef*a Bacchanalian brow. 
Oh, that unwelcome voice of heavenly love^ 
Sad me^Tenger of mercer from above ! 



T m V T n. si 

How does it grate upon his thanklefs ear. 

Crippling his pleafures with the cramp of fear ! ' 

His will and judgment at contional fiirife. 

That civil war imbitters all his life: 

In vain he points his powers againft the (kiea. 

In vain he clofes or averts his eyes, 

Truth will intrude — (he bids him yet beware } 

And (hakes the fceptic in the fcomer's chair. 

Though various foes againft the truth combine. 
Pride above all oppofes her deiign; 
Pride, of a growth fuperior to the reft. 
The fubtled ferpent, with the lofkieft crefl; 
Swells at the thought, and, kindling into rage. 
Would htfs the cherub mercy from the flage. 

And is the foul, indeed, fo loft?— (he cries 3 
FalVn from her glory, and too weak to rife? 
Torpid ^nd dull, beneath a frozen zone. 
Has ftie no fpark that may be doom'd her own } 
Grant her indebted to what zealots call 
Grace undeferv'd — yet, furely, not for all I 
Sonae beams of reditude ftie yet difplays. 
Some love of virtue, and fome powV to praife; 
Can lift herfelf above corporeal things. 
And foaring on her own unborrowed wings, 

G2 



I 



84 T a u T H. 

Poffefs herfelf of all that's good'or troc, 
Aifert the ikies^ and vindicate her due. 
Pall indifcretiod is a venial crime; 
And, if the youth, uonaellow'd yet by time. 
Bore on his branch, luxuriant then and rude. 
Fruits of a blighted fize, auftere and crude, 
Maturer years* (hall hapjaer ftores produce. 
And ameliorate the well conceded juice. 
Then, confcious of her meritorious zeal, 
To juftice (lie may make her bold appeal 5 
And leave to mercy, with a tranquil mind, 
The worthlefs and unfruitful of mankind. 
Hear, then, how mercy, flighted and defied. 
Retorts th'.aflfront againft the crown of pride. 

Peri(h the virtue, as it onght, abhorred. 
And the fool with it, who infults bis Lord. 
Th' atonement a Redeemer's love has wrought 
Is not for you — the righteous need it not. 
Seell thou yon harlot, wooing all (he meets. 
The worn-out nuifance of the public ftreets j 
Herfelf, from morn to night, from night to mom. 
Her own abhorrence, and as much your fcorn I 
The gracious .fliow*r, unlimited and free, 
Shall fall on her, when heav n denies it thee* 



T B ty T H. 85 

Of all that wifdom didates, this the drift- 
That man is dead in {\n, and life a gift. 

Is virtue, then, unlefs of Chriftian growth, 
Mere fallacy, or fooliflinefs, or both ? 
Ten thoufand fages loft in endlefs woe. 
For ignorance of what they could not know ? 
That fpeech betrays at once a bigot*s tongue — 
Charge not a God with fuch outrageous wrong! 
Truly, not I — the partial light men have. 
My creed perfuades me, well employed, mayfave; 
While he that fcorns the noon-day beam, perverfc. 
Shall find the blelling, unimprov'd, a curfe. 
Let heathen worthies, whofe exalted mind 
Left fenfaality and drofs behind, 
PoiTefsy for me, their undifputed lot, 
And take, unenvied, the reward they foughK 
But ftill, in virtue of a Saviour s plea. 
Not blind by choice, but deftin^d not to fee. 
There fortitude and wifdom were a flame 
Celeftial, though they knew not whence it came, 
Derived from the fame fource of light iind grace 
That guides the Chriftian in his fwifter race. 
Their judge was confcience,and her rule their law: 
That rule, purfued with rev'rence and with awe. 



fi? T 1^ y T », 

Led them, howcyer faltVing, faint, and flow^ 
Prom what they knew tq what they wiih'd to knew. 
But Jet not him that ftarjes a brighter day 
Traduce the fplendour of a noon-tide ray. 
Prefer the twihght of a darker time. 
And deem his bafe ftupidity no crime j 
The wretch, who flights the bounty of the (kies. 
And finks, while fayour'd with the means to rife. 
Shall find them rated at their full amount. 
The good he fcorn*d all carried to a^rcount. 

Mar (hailing all his terrors as be came; 
Thunder, and earthquake, and devouring flame j 
From §inai's top Jehovah gave the law — 
Life for obedience-— death for ev'ry flaw^ 
When the great SovVeign would his witt cxprefs. 
He gives a perfea rule ; what can he lefs ? 
And guards it with a fandioo as fevere 
As vepgeanpe can infli6i, or finners fear: 
Elfc his own glorious rights he would difclaim. 
And man might fafely trifle with his name. 
I)e bids him glow with unremitting love 
To all on earth, and to himfelf above ; 
CoxKJemns th' injurious deed, the flandVous tongue, 
The thought that meditates a brother*s wrong : 



T « y T w. «f 

Brings opt alone tbe daore coofpicoous part-*- 
His copdiiiSk— to the tcft, but tries his heart. 

Hark ! uAiveff^l eatare ibook and f rDan*d> 
Twas the laft tFumpot— fee tbe Judge eDthion'ds 
Roufe aU y<H)r courage at your utmoft need ; 
Now fummon evVy virtue — ^ftand, and plead. 
What I filent ? Is your boafting heard no more ? 
That felf-renouncing wifdom, learn'd before. 
Had (bed immortal glories on your brow. 
That all your virtues cannot purchafe now. 

All joy to the believer 1 He can fpeak— 
Trembling, yet happy ; confident, yet meek. 

Since the dear hour that brought me to thy foot, 
And cut up all my follies by the root, 
I never traded in an arm but thine. 
Nor hop*d, but in thy righteoufnefs divine ; 
My prayers and alms, imperfed, and defil'd. 
Were but the feeble efforts of a child 3 
Howe*er perform'd, it was their brighteft part 
That they proceeded from a grateful heart : 
Clean8*d in thine own all-purifying blood, 
Forgive their evil, and accept their good. 
I caft them at thy feet — ^my only plea 
Is what it was— dependence upon thee 3 



88 TRUTH. 

While fhnggling in the vale of tears heYovTy 
That never faird, nor (hall it fail me now* 

Angelic gratulations rend the fkies : 
Pride falls unpitied, never more to rife ; 
Humility is crown*d 3 and faitb receives the prrac. 



EXPOSTULATION. 



Ta?tiane, tarn paiiem^ nullo ceriamme toUi 
Thna fines ^ ViRGr 



Wht weeps the mufc for England? What appear* 
In £ngland*s cafe to move the mnfe to tears ? 
From fide to fide of her delightful iile. 
Is ihe not cloth'd with a perpetual fraile ? 
Can nature add a charm> or art confer 
A new found luxury, not feen in her ? 
Where under heav*n is pleafure more purfued ? 
Or where docs cold reflexion lefs intrude? 
Her fields a rich expanfe of wavy corn, 
Pour*^ out from plenty's overflowing horn^ 
Ambrofial gardens, in which art fupplies 
The fervour and the force of Indian ikies ^ 



go EXPOSTULATION. 

Her peaceful (hores, where bofy commerce waits 
To pour his golden tide through all her gates; 
Whom fiery funs, that fcorch the ruifet fpice 
Of eaftern %tpvc^, ^pd oopaps floor*d with ice 
Forbid in vain to pufh his daring way 
To darker climes, or climes of brighter day j 
Whom the winds waft where'er the billows roll, 
From the world's girdle to the frozen pole; 
The chariots, bounding in her wheel- worn fireets; 
Her vaults below, where evVy vintage tpeeM; 
Her theatres, her revels, and her fports ; 
The fcepes to which not youth alone reforts, 
^at age> IP fpile pf weaknefs and of pain. 
Still haunts, in hope to dream of youth again ; 
All fpeak her happy : let the ipufe look round 
From Eafl to Weft, no ibrrow can be found ; 
Or only what, in cottages confin'd^ 
Sighs unregarded to the paiTmg wind. 
Then wherefore weep for £ngUnd? What appear? 
In England's cafe to piiove the mufe to tears ? 

The prophet wept for Ifrael; wiih*d his eyjes 
Were fountains fed with infinite fupi^iea: 
For ifrael dealt in robbery and wrong ; 
There were the feornor^s and the ilandVer's tof^^qei 



SX90tTULATTO«. 91 

Oaths, us*d as playthings or conveni^ tools. 
As intVeft bias'd knaves, or fafhlon fools; 
Adult*ry> Qeighing at his neighbour's door; 
Oppreiiion, labouring hard to grind the poor ; 
The partial balance, and deceitful weight, 
The treach'rous fmile, a malk for fecret hate ; 
Hypocrify, formality in prayV, 
And the dull fervice of the lip, were there. 
Her women, infdent and felf-carefs*d, 
By vanity's unwearied finger drefs'd. 
Forgot the bluih that virgin fears impart 
To moded cheeks, and borrowed one from' art ; 
Were juft fuch trifles, without worth or ufe. 
As filly pride and idlenefs produce 5 
Curl'd, fcented, furbelow'd and flounc'd around, 
With feet too delicate to touch the ground, 
They ftretch*d the neck, and roll'd the wanton eye. 
And figh'd for ev*ry fool that fluttered by. 

He law his people Haves to ev*ry lufl. 
Lewd, avaricious, arrogant, unjufl 3 
He heard the wheels of an avenging God 
Groan heavily along the diilant road ; 
Saw Babylon tei wide her two-leav'd brafa 
To let the military deluge pafs. 



92 BXPOSTULATION. 

Jerufalem a prey, her glory foird, 
Her princes captive, and her treafures fpoil'd j 
Wept till all Ifrael heard his bitter cry j 
Stamped with his foot 5 and fmote upon his thigh: 
But wept, and flamp d, and fmote his thigh, in 

vain — 
Pleafure is deaf when told of future pain. 
And founds prophetic are too rough to fuit 
Ears long accudom'd to the pleafing lute — 
lliey fcorn'd his infpi ration and his theme j 
Pronounced him frantic, and his fears a dream; 
With felf-indulgence wing*d the fleeting hours. 
Till the foe found them, and down fell the towVs. 

Long time Aflyria bound them in her chain j 
Till penitence had purg'd the public ftain. 
And Cyrus, with relenting pity mov'd, 
Rcturn'd them happy to the land they lov'd : 
There, proof againll profperity, awhile 
They flood the left of her enfnaring fmile ; 
And had the grace, in fcenes of peace, to fhow 
The virtue they had learned in fcenes of woe. 
£ut man is frail, and can but ill fuHai'n 
A long immunity from grief and pain 3 



BXPOSTUL ATIOir. 03 

And, afler all the joys that plenty leads, 
With tip-toe ftep vice filently fucceeds. 

When he that ruFd them with a fhephcrd's rod. 
In form a xmn, in dignity a God, 
Came, not expeded in that humble guife. 
To iift and fearch them with unerring eyes. 
He found, concealed beneath a fair outiide. 
The filth of rottennefs and worm of pride; 
Their piety a fyftcm of deceit. 
Scripture employed to fandify the cheat; 
The pharifee the dupe of his own art, 
Self-idolized, and yet a knave at heart! 

When nations are to perifh in their fins, 
^s in the church this leprofy begins. 
The priefi, whofe office is, with zeal fincere. 
To watch the fountain and preferve it clear, 
Careiefsly nods and ileeps upon the brink, 
While others poifon what the fiock mufi drink ; 
Or, waking at the call of luft alone, 
Infufes lies and errors of his own. 
His unfufpeding flieep believe it pure ; 
And, tainted by the very means of cure, 
Catch from each other a contagious fpot. 
The foul forerunner of a gen'ral rot. 



9^ EXPOfTULATtON. 

Then truth is ha(h*d, thatf herefy may preach ', 
And all is trafli that reafoo eamicyt teach : 
Xhea God*s own image cm the foul impt^fa'd 
Becomes a mockery, ^d a fbnding jeft; 
And faith, the root whence only can arife 
The graces of a Ufe that wins the ikies, 
Lofes at once adl valne and efteem, 
Pronounced by gray-beards a pernicioas dream : 
Then ceremony leads her bigots forth. 
Prepared to %l»t for ihadows of no worth ; 
While truths, on which eto'nal things depend. 
Find not, or hardly find, a fingle friend : 
As.foldien watch the iignal of command^ 
They learn to bow, to kneel, to fit, to fiand; 
Happy to fill religion's vacant place 
With hollow form, and geflure, and grimace. 

Such, when the teacher of his church was there. 
People and priefi;, the fons of Ifrael were ; 
Stiff in the letter, lax in the defign 
And import, of their oracles divine^ 
Their learning legendary, falfe, abfurd. 
And yet exalted above God^s own word ; 
They drew a curfe from an intended good, 
Poff'd up with gifts they never underfiood. 



SXr OSTVLATIOir* $5 

He jadg*d them witb as tetiibl6 a ^wii 
As if not love, but wrath, had brought bitn ixNtn i 
Yet he Was gentle asi foft fuiBHaef airs j 
Had grace for others* fins» bat iKme for their). 
Throtfgb all he fpoke a noHe plainnefs ran— 
Rhet'ric is artifice^ the work of man ; 
And tricks and turhs, that faticy iMy devife* 
Are far too mean for him that valti the fkies. 
Th' afloniih'd vulgar trembled while he lore 
The malk from faces never feen before : 
He flripp*d th* imfyoftors in the ncKm-day fun^ 
Show'd that thej follow*d all they feeokd to ihilOf 
Their prajVs made public, their excels kept 
As private as the chambers where they flept$ 
The ttoiple and its holy rites profan*d 
By mumm*ries he that dwelt in it difdain*d$ 
Uplifted hacids, that at convenient times 
Could a£t extortion and the word of crim«f> 
Waih*d with a neatneis fcrupuloudy nice» 
And free from ev'ry taint but that of vice. 
Judgment, however tardy, mends her pace 
When obfiinacy onc|S hM conquer*d grace. 
They faw diftemper heaVd, and life rt&ofd, 
In anfwer to the fiat of his word 9 



gd IXF08TULATI0K. 

Coofe{ft*d the wonder, and, with daring tongue, 
Blafphem'd th* authority from which it fprung. 
They knew, by fare prognoftics feen on high. 
The future tone and temper of the iky, 
But, grave diffemblersi could not underftand 
That fin let loofe fpeaks punifliment at hand. 

Aik now of hiftory*8 authentic page. 
And call up evidence from evVy age i 
Difplay with bufy and laborious hand 
The bledings of the mott indebted land ; 
What nation will you find, whofe annals prove 
So rich an intVefi in almighty love? 
Where dwell they now, where dwelt in ancient day, 
A people planted, water'd, b1e(i, as they ? 
Let Egypt's plagues, and Canaan*s woes proclaim 
The favours pour'd upon the Jewilh name— 
Thdr freedom, purchased for them at the cod 
Of all their hard opprefibrs valued mofi i 
Their title to a country not their own 
Made fure by prodigies till then unknown ; 
For them, the dates they left made wafie and void ; 
For them, the fiates to which they went deflroy*d i 
A cloud to meafure out their march by day. 
By night a fire to <:heer the gloomy way ; 



EXPOSTULATION.. S(f 

*Ihai movif^ fignal AiimnoDiag, wheat beft, 
^Hieir boft to oootc; an4 when it ilay^d, to refi. 
For tbem the rocks diflblv'd into a flood* 
The dews condens'd into angelic food ; 
Their very garments facred--old» yet new. 
And Time forbid to touch them as he flew; 
Streams, fweird above the bank, enjoined to ftand. 
While they pafs*d through to their appointed land; 
Their leader arm*d with meeknefs, seal, and love« 
And graced with clear credentials from above; 
Themfelves fecnr'd beneath th* Almighty wing; 
Their God their captain ^, lawgiver, and king; 
Crown*d with a thoufand vi&*ries, and at lafi 
Lords of the conquer'd foil, there roo^ fafl, 
In peace pofleffing what they won by war, 
. Their name far pobUih'd, and rever'd as for j 
Where will you And a race like their's, endow'd 
With all that man e'er wifli'd, or heav'n befto w*d ? 

They, and they only, amongfl all mankind, 
Recdv'd the tran&ript of th* eternal mind ; , 
Were trufled with his own engraven laws. 
And conCtitated guardians of his caufe; 

* Vide Jcrfhua, v. 14. 

VOL. I. H 



€l6 fiXPOSTULATi OK. 

Theirs "^i^e the prophets, ^e&rs the prieftty call, 
Andtheit^^ by birth, tbieSaviotirof tisiMl. 
In vain the riadons, t^hat had ften'thf^ia-ri^ 
With fierce tfdd enviods, yet adfio^rhsg, eyes. 
Had fotight to cttiatt them, guarded as they ivcre 
By pow'r divjne, and Ifklll that ddald !Dot err. 
Had th^y tiiaifitairi'd allegiance iirm and fare, 
Afid kept the faith ifxiinacalate- and pure. 
Then the primd eagles of all eonqu'ringRome 
Had fontid one city -not to be overcome ^ 
And the twelve fiahda^ds of the tribes lunfiirl'd, 
Hdd bid d^ance to the waniog* world. 
Bat 'grace abused brings forth the fi^iileii' deeds, 
As riehidf! foil>the mofl luknriant ^eeds. 
Cur*d of the gblden caH^, tkeir falthers* fin. 
They fet tip !felf, that idol god within ; 
View'd a Deliv'i^r with difdain and hate, 
Who ftift'tlidto ftlll a tributary ftate : 
Seiz*d fdil his hand, hdd out to fet them free 
From a woffe yoke, and naiVditto the tree : 
There was the cotiAilk)itfation> and the crown. 
The fiow'r -of Ifialers Itifemy full blown -, 
Thence date their fad decleniion, and their fall^ 
Their woes, not yet rcp^Fd**-thence date them all ! 



J 



SXPOSTULATIO V. 

IT. ^ • r 



Thus fell the beft inftruaed in her day. 
And the mofl favoured land> look where we mar. 
Philofophy, indeed, on Grecian eyes 
Had pour'd the day, and cleared the Kojnan ikiQS; 
In other chmes, perhaps, creative art. 
With powV furpaffing their's, perform'd her part^ ' 
Might give more life to marble, or mi|;lit,fill . „ 
The glowing tablets with a jufter. Ikill, . . _ 
Might (hine in fable, and grace idle .themes, ^ 
With all th* embroidery of poetic dreamy : 
"Twas their's alone to dive into the plan ^ 

That truth and mercy had reveal*d to man.: ' 
And, while the world befide', that plan unknown, 

../I < ♦:«.' '.••'7'.' «^-: r.- . /-T' J "h" 

Deified pfelefs wood, or. fenfelefs ftone, , \^ 
They breathed in faith their well-dired^d pray*,rs, 
And the true God— the, God of truth — was their Js. 

Theirglpry faded, and their race difper^'d; .^ 
The laft pf nations now. thpugh once the nrft ; 
They warn and teach the proudeft^ wo.uld. they learn. 
Keep wifdom, or meet vengeance in your turn i 
If we^ejfcap'd not, if Heav'n fpar*d not us, 
Peel*da.fcatter*d, and exterminated, thus; 
If vice received her retribution due 
When we were vifited, what hope for you? 

H 2 



100 EXPOSTULATION. 

When God arifes, with an awful frown, 

9 • • • 

To punifh luft, or pluck prefumption down ; 
Wb(5n gifts, perverted, or not duly priz*d, 
iPleafure overvalued, and his grace defpis*d, 
Provoke. the vengeance of his righteous hand 
To pour down wrath upon a thanklefs land j 
He will be found inipartially fevere^ 
Too jufl to wirik, or fpeak the guilty clear^ 

Oh, Tfrael, of all nations mod undonel 
Thy diadem difplac*d, thy fceptre gone ; 
Thy tempile^ once thy glory, falFn and ras d, 
And thou a worfinpper e'en wliere thou may*ft^ 
Thy fervices, once holy without fpot, 
Mere ihadows now, their ancient ponip forgot^ 
Tby Levites, once a confecrated hoft, 
No longer Levrtes, and their lineage loft. 
And thou thyfelf o'er ev'ry country fown. 
With none on earth that t*bou cand call thine own^ 
Cry aloud, fhou tliat fitted in tlie duft. 
Cry to the proud, the cruel, and unjud ; 
Knock at the gates of nations, roufe their fears; 
Say wrath is coming, and the ftorm appears; 
But xaife the ihrilled cry in Britilh ears* 



BXtaSTUL-ATIOV. 101 

What ails thee, reliefs a» the waves that roar. 
And fling their foam againft thy chalky (hore ? 
Miftre&, at lea& while Providence ihall pleafe, 
And trident- bearing queen of the wide feasH-- . 
Wh3v having kept good, faith, and often fhown 
Friendihip and truth to others, find*(l thou none? 
Thou that haft fet the perfecuted free^ 
None interpofes now to fuccour thee;. 
Countries, indebted to thy pow'r, that fhine 
With light deriv*d from the^» would fmother thine: 
Thy very children watch for thy difgrace— • 
A lawlefs brood t and ciufe thee to thy face. 
Thy rulers load thy credit, year by year, 

« 

With fums Peruvian mines could never clear i 
As if,, like arches built with ikilful hand, 
The more 'twere preft the firmer it would ftand. 

The cry in all thy (hips is dill the fame— * 
Speed us away to battle and to fame. 
Thy mariners explore the wild expanfe. 
Impatient to defcry the flags of France; 
But, though they £ght as thine have ever foughtj 
Return,, aiham'd, without the wreaths they fought 
Thy fenate is a fcene of civil jar. 
Chaos of contrarieties at war j 



'^I .V ^J J ••.. .1 tJ 



102 EXPOSTULATION. 

Where flia'rp arid iolid, phlegmatic and light, 

Difcprdant atoms meet, ferment, and fight : 

Where opftinacy takes Fiis ftiirdj fiand. 

To difcoiicert what policy has plann*d j 

Where policy is 6ufied all night long 

In letting right what faOtiori has fef wrong 5 

Where flails oY oratory threm the floor, 

That fields them cfiaffancl diid, an5 nothing more. 

Thy racked inhahitanti repine, complain, 

TaVd till the brow of labour fweats in vaiii j 

War lays a burthen oii the reeling ftate, 

And peace does nothing to relieve the weight) 

Succefliye loads lucceerfing broils impol*e, 

Ancf ugfiing millions prophefy the cldle. 

Is adveHe providence, when pondef*d well. 
So dimly writ, or difficult to fpell. 
Thou canil not reacl witd readinefs and eaie 
Providence aiverfe In events like thefe } 
Know, then, that heav*nly wifdom on this ball 
Creates, gives birtn to, guides, confummates, all; 
I'hat, while laborious and quicfc-thoughted inan 
Snuffs up the praife of what he feems to plan. 
He firft conceives, then perfeds his d'eflgn. 
As a mere iuflrument in hands divine. 
6 



SXP08TULATI0K. 103 

Blind to the wQrkiag of that fecret powV 
That bstlances the wings of ev'ry hour. 
The bufy trifle 4reaiii8 himfelf alone. 
Frames f»P9y 4 purpofi?, and God works his own. 
States thrive or wi|l^> as nKxms wax and wane, 
£v'n a» his wUl ^adt bis deqrees ordain. 

4. 

While honour > yirtm, piety, bear fway. 
They floqijiftii ^pd^'^ Uiefe decline, decay. 
In jjift MH(ffH9H«^ Qf Wl^. ipjur'd laws, 
He poors po^yt^gipt on theqa,. and on their caufe; 
Strikiea ib^ rongl^ thread of error right athwart 
The web Oif ev*ry fcbe^ie they have at heart ; 
Bids rott^Q^ ifiv^e and bring to duft 
The pillare of fupport, in which they truft. 
And do bifi err^wi of di%race and ihame 
On the cb](ef ilreo^lh and glory of the frame. 
None ever yet i^apeded what he wrpught; 
None harp bim putrfrom his xooft fecret thought : 
Darkneft Hfi^ before his eye is light. 
And heirs clofe nnfcbief naked in his fight. 
Stand now, pod jvidge tbyfclf. — HbA thoa 
incurr'd 
His aogOTj wbQ cap wafte thee with a word. 



104 fiXPOSTtTLATIOK. 

Who poifcs and proportions fca and land. 
Weighing them in the hollow of hb hand^ 
And in wbofe awful fight all nations feem 
As grafshoppers, as daft, a drop, a dream } 
Haft thou (a facrilege his foul abhofs) 
Claimed all the glory of thy profpVous wars } 
Proud of thy fleets and armies, flol*n the gem 
Of his jufl praife, to kyifh it on them I 
Haft thou not learn*d^ what thou ail often UM,, 
A truth ftill faered, and be)iev*d of old. 
That no fuccefs attends on fpears and fwordi^ 
Unbleft, and that the battle is the Lovd's ^ 
That courage is his creature, stfad difmay 
The poft that at his bidding fpeeds away, 
Ghaftly in feature, and his ftamm'ring ton^e 
With doleful humotir and fad prefage hung,. 
To quell the valour of the ftouteft heart. 
And teach the combatant a womanls part ? 
I'hat he bids thoufands fly wbenr none puriue^ 
Saves as he will, by many or by few. 
And claims for ever, as his royal right, 
Th' event and fure deciiion of the fight f 

Haft tbou, tho* fuckled at fair freedomli breafi^ 
Exported flav'ry t^ the conquered £aft. 



txrosTnxr'ATioir. 105 



Faird dcfwn the tyrants India ferr'd with dread. 
And rais*d thjfdU; a greater, in their flead ? 
Gone thither ann*d an^ hungry, rettirn'd ful^ 
Fed from the richeil veins of the Mogul, 
A defpot big with powV obtain'd by wealth. 
And that obuin'd by rapine and by flealth ^ 
With Afiatic vices fior'd thy mind. 
But left their virtues and thine own behind ^ 
And, having truck*d thy foul, brought home the fee. 
To tempt the poor to fell himielf to thee? 

Haft thou by fiatnte ihov'd from its defign 
The Saviour's fea(^, his own bleft bread and wine. 
And made the fymbols of atoning grace. 
An office- key, a pick-lock to a place. 
That infidels may make their title good 
By an oath dippM in facramental blood ? 
A blot that will be Itill a blot, in fpite 
Of aU that grave apologifb may write ; 
And, though a bifliop toil to cleanfe the (bun. 
He wipes and fcours the filver cup in vain. 
And hail thou fwom, on evVy flight pretence, 
nil perjuries are common as bad pence. 
While thoulands, careleis of the damuiog fin, , 
Kifs the book's outfide who ne*er look within ? 



106 JIXBQ»T-UK.ATI,OBt. 

Haft thou, ^eti lleav*n ha* clatb'4 tbee wiA 
difgxacd^ 
And; lettg pnovok'd, r^aid \hB» to thy laoe, 
(For thou had koowii edtpfes, flndc«idur*d 
Dimodft and angtiifhv all thy bdams obfcar*d» 
When fin has ikod. diftonour on Utj browi 
And never of a iabler hae than now) 
Hail thoQ, withheartptffVieFfeyandcoolbieneeieaf 4 
Pefpifing all jpeboJce* Itill perfever*d, 
And, hetnng cfaolca evil, foora'd the Toioe 
That cried. Repent t--dind f;leried vt thy choice ? 
Thj fafthigs, nfbeo calamity at kft 
Suggefb th* eKpo&nit da ytaukf hA, 
What mean they ? Ganft thou dream there isa pow'r 
In lightei' diet^ at a laticr hour. 
To charm to iitfep the threat'oing of xht ikie8» 
And hide pafl fody Irom all-ieetng eyes ? 
The faft that wins deliverance, aotl fafpends 
The arofce that a vindsdhre Gad iflfeends, 
Islo renomice hypociifyj to draw 
Thy life upon the pattern of the kw; 
To war with plealbre, idi^V) before; 
To tan^oifli lofty and wear its yoke no more. 



All fafting dfe, tt^atc'^r be flie prttferice. 
Is wooing ihitcy by renew'd oHknt^. 

Haft thou witlin thod fin, that in old tfei'6 
BroDght fire {rovti heav'fi, the fex-abitfitig crittieJ, 
Whofe horrid perpetration ftaiAps difgracd 
Babooiiis are fr^ from upon human race ? 
Think on the fruitlefe and wcll-watdt*d fpdt 
That fed the rfofcks and hetdS of wealthy L6t, 
Where paractife feem'd ftill voiichfrf'd on Wrth, 
Burning and ^drch'd into perpetual dearth, ' 
Or, in his words who damn'd the balfe dfefirift, 
Suff'ring thfe vengeance of eternal fire i 
Then nature, itijufd, fcand^ii'd, defifd, 

Unveird her blufhing cheek, lookM on, and finiWt 

• • • 

Behdd with joy the lovely fcene defac'd, 

« 

And praised the wr^th that Uid bet be^^Utle^ Wafte. 

Far be the thdnght from any verie of mine. 
And farther ftill the forni'd and fix'd defign. 
To thruft the chafge of deeds that I deteA 
Againft an innocent unco'nfcious breaft : 
The man that daYes tl'^du'de, becaufe he cdn 
With fafety to himfelf, is not a man : 
An individual is a facred matk, 
Not to be pierc'd in play, err in thie '&irk 5 



106 BXrOfTVLATiaV. 

I 

Bat pttUic ceoittre fpeaki a public (oc, 
Vn]e(M a zeal for virtue guide tbe blow* 

The priefily brotherhood* devont, fiocere^ 
FfoiD mean ielf iot'reil and ambitkm dear. 
Their hope ia Hea?*!!, iervilitj their fcorn^ 
Frompt to perfaade^ expoAolate, and wars. 
Their wifdom pore^ and gir'n them from abore^ 
Their nfefiilneis eofuf'd by zeal and lo?e^ 
Aa meek as the roan Mofes, aod withal 
Aft bold aft la Agrippa'ft prefenoe Paul, 
fliqald £7 the worldV coDtaminatiDg touch, 
H0I7 and onpolloled :— are thine iucb I 
Except a few with Eli'ft fpirit bleft,. 
Hophni and Phineaft ma/ defbribe the re^. 

Where ihall a teacher look in. day* like tbefe. 
For earft and heartft that be can hope to pleafe? 
Look to the poor — the fimple and the plain 
Will hear, perhaps^ thy falntary fkain : 
Homility ift gentle, apt to learn. 
Speak bat the word, will liden and retamv 
Alaft, not Co ! the pooreft of the flock 
Are prood, and fet their faces as a rock; ' 
Denied that earthly opulence they choofe, 
God'ft better gift they fcoifat, and refufe* 



tXTOSTVt A*riOtf. lOf 

• 

The rich, the produce of a nobler ftem« 
Are more intelligent, at leaft — try them. 
Oil, vain iniquiry t they, without rcmorfc, 
Are altogether gone a devious coarfe } 
Where foeck'ningpleafure leads them,wildly ftrayi 
Have bnrd tbe bands, and caft the yoke awaf. 
Now, born upon the wings of truth rubUQie» 
Review thy dim original and prrme. 
This ifland, fpot of unreclaim'd rnde eartbi 
The cradle that receiv'd thee at tby birth, 
Was rock-d by nuiny a rough Norwegian blaft, 
And Daniih bowlings fcar*d thee as they pafr'di 
For thoo wad born amid the din of arms, 
And fuck'dl a breaft that panted with alarms. 
While yet thou waft a grovling, puKng cbit, 
Tby bones not fa(hion*d, and thy joints not knit^ 
The Boman taught tby ftubboro kaee to bow, 
Vhoogfa twice a Cseiar cooid not beod thee now ; 
His viAory wat ihat of orient 4igbt, 
When the fun*s fliatfudifperfe the gloom of night, 
Tby language at this dlftant moment (hows 
How much 'the country to the cooqu'ror owesj 
Expreffive, energetic, and refin'd. 
It fparUes with the geoaa be left 



J 
1 



He brougt^ tjsij l^ ^.blf^f^ng when he qame,* 
He found thee lavage, and J^e left thee tame ; 
Taught thee to clothe thy p^^Vl and painted hide. 
And grace thy figure .with a foldier's pride; 
;He!fpw*d the feeds pf pr,der where he w^t, 
In:^ov*4 thee far ))eyond.hjs own iiit^nt, 
Apd, jWhUehe rnl'idth^e by the fwordaloj^e, 
Made thee at laft a warrior like, his pwn. 
ReligipD^ lif . in h^a^v^^ly truths aUir*d, 
Needs .only •to.})e ,feen to J)e adppir*d j 
B\;A jtbine," as dwk. 2^3. witch Vies of tlje^n^ght, 
>Vas fpr^(A tQ harden hearts and^il^oj^k^e ^ht. 
Thy Di^uids.ftrucK the.wellrhH^g.hafps jth^ ^ 
Withifingcprs deeply dyld iin.hw>»D igwe j 
And, "while Ibe vidim lilowly . hied to dps^, 
Upon Ahcrolliifg chords ?:upgpvit hi«j4yi»g)&re4rt* 
Whobrpught tbeldmpi that with ^WAi^i^t>^j9f9> 
Difpcird thy. gloom, aud.brp^e ?way ihyfjdjcf^flw, 
Tradition, no,w decrepid 4»d j wprn ,otft, 
£d)ibler.of ancient &bl^s,Jea.y$}s.a dQV^bt : 
But flill li^ht reached tb^e j.aod.thtg/e^gpds pf tl^iite, 
VTadttD and Thor, each.tott'dpg, iQ,his i^nf^ . 
Fell, broken, and defac*d» at their qwh dopr* 
As Dagoa an CbiliAiaiQeg. before. . . } 



<^9io8iT 17 LiA^rnv* 111 

"Bttt Rome, iiritb forcedes aadflMigie/waftd, 
Soon nis'd a dond Hat dbiirken*d'eT*»7 land; 
And thine was finother'd m the ftendi. and log; ' . 
Of Tiber's marflies and the .papal.bog. 
Then priefts, with fanlls and bnt&, isad ikaireD 

crowns. . * 
And griping fifls^and unreteotibg. ifrowns^ 
Legates and delegates^ wkh.pow'r8 fiiom hell» - 
Though heayeziiy ia preteniion, fleeddtbee well) 
And to this hour, to Jceep it fireih in zpind. 
Some twigs of that old icoarge are left bebiod^. 
Thy ibkUery^ the pope's well mani^^d pack, 
Were traio'dboncatbhis lafh, and knewibe fiQaak; 
And, when^be laid them oot the (iaei;it.Qf.blood» ' 
Wonld huota^ Samoeil itfaroagb £f»iaBd iflood. 
Laviih of life,^ to win an empty (tawb> 

• 

lliat proy'd amintof weskh^ a-msneytb^Rofne^ * 
They left tkeir bottes beneath «afraen% ikies. 
His worthier abfoludon all the prioe 1 
Thou wafl the yeiiefk flave>io days-ofryore. 
That ever dragg'd a chain,- or tugg'd an ear. 
^ Thy monarcbs, arbitrary, ^erce, uiif cr(l, 
Themfelves 'the' Haves of bigotry or kift, 

' * Which may be found at Dt&ort* Csmitoons. 



112 BXVOSTUXATrt>K; 

IXrdatn*d thy coiuifds i only in diftrefs 

Found thee a goodly fpunge for |x>wV to prefs. 

Thy chiefs, the lords of many a petty fee, 

ProYok'd and harafs'd, in return p]agu*d thee -, 

Call'd thee away ^om peaceable employ, 

Domeftic happinels and rural joy> 

To wafle .thy life in arms, or lay it down 

In cauielefs feuds and bickerings of their own. 

Thy parliaments ador*d> on beoded knees, 

The fov'reignty they were convened to pleafe ; 

Whate*er was aik'd, too timid to.reiift> 

Comply*d with, and were gracioufly diinufs'd} 

And, if fome Spartan (bul a donbt.eipreis*d. 

And, blufhing at the tamenefs of theirefi, 

Dartd to fuppofe the fubjed had a choice, 

He was a traitor by the gen*ral voice. 

Oh, ihiye ! with pow*r8 thou didft not dare exert, 

Verfe cannot fioop fo low as thy defert i 

It (hakes the fides of fplenetic difdwin. 

Thou felf-entitled ruler of the main. 

To trace thee to the date when yon fair iea. 

That clips thy ihores, had no fuch charms for thee; 

When other nations flew from coaft to coaft. 

And thou hadii neither fleet nor flag to boafl. 



BXPOSTU£ATIOK« US 

Xned now, and lay thy forehead in the duft,> 
Kufli, if thoi3 canft; not petrified^ thoa mad; 
A€t bat an honeft and a faithful part $ 
Compare what then thoa wafl with what thou art ; 
Andy God's dieting providence confefs'd^ 
Obduracy itfelf tnufl yield the refl.— • 
Then thou art bound to ferve him, and to prove, 
Hour after hour, thy gratitude and love. 

Has he not hid thee, and thy favoured land, 
IPor ages fafe beneath his iheh*ring hand, 
Giv*n thee his bleffing on the cleareil proof. 
Bid nations leagu*d againft thee fland aloof. 
And chafg'd hoflility and hate to roar 
Where etfe they wotild, but not upon thy fliore ? 
His pow'r fecur'd thee when prefumptuous Spain 
Baptiz*'d her fleet invindUe in vain. 
Her. gloomy monarch, doubtful and refign'd 
To ev*ry pang that racks an anxious mind, 
Afk'd of the waves that broke upon bis coaft. 
What tidings > and thie furge replied— All loll! 
And, when the Stuart, leaning on the Scot, 
Then too much fear'd, and now too much forgot, 
Pierc*d to the very centre of the realm. 
And hop*d to feize his abdicated helm, 

VOL.. I. I 



114. BXPa»TU.LATIOtf« 

Twas but to prove how qaickljr, with a frown. 
He that had niis*d thee could have fdock^d thee 

down. 
Peculiar is the grace by thee pofie&*d. 
Thy foes implacable^ thy land at reft^ 
Thy thunders travel over earth and feas. 
And all at home is pleaAire, wealth, and eafc. 
Tis thus, extending his tempeftuoos arm, « 
Thy Maker fills the nations with alarm. 
While his own heav*n furveys the troubled foenc. 
And feels no change, unihaken and ferene. 
Freedom, in other lands fcarce known to ihine. 
Pours out a flood of fplendour upon thine; 
Thou haft as bright an intVeft in her rays 
As ever Boman had in Rome's beft days. 
True freedom is where no reftraint is known 
That icripture, jnftice, and good fenfe, difown. 
Where only vice and injury are tied. 
And all from fhore to fhore is free befide. 
Such freedom is«-and Windfor's hoary tow*rs 
Stood trembling at the boldnefs of thy pow'rs. 
That won a nymph on that immortal plain. 
Like her the fabled Phcebus woo'd in vain : 



BSLFOtTUIiATlOV^ 115' 

He faand the laurel ooly — happier you 
Th' unfading laurel and the virgin too* 1 

Now thiok, if pleafure have a thought to fparej 
If God himlelf be not beneath her care f 
If bus*Befs> cooftant as the wheels of time^ 
Can paufe an hour to read a ferious rhyme ; 
If the new mail thy merchants now receive. 
Or expe^tion of the next, give leaver 
Oh think, if chargeable with deep arrears 
For fuch indulgence gilding all thy years. 
How much, though long negleded, fhining yet. 
The beams of heav'nly truth have fwelVd the debt ! 
When perfecuting zeal made royal fport 
With tortured innocence in Mary's court, 
And Bonner, blithe as fhepherd at a wake, 
Enjoy'd the ihow, and danc'd about the flake ^ 
The facred book, its value underftood, 
Recdv'd the feal of martyrdom in blood, 
Thofe holy men, fo full of truth and grace. 
Seem, to refledion, of a difTrent race 5 
Meek, modelt, venerable, wife> iincere, 
In fuch a caufe they could not dare to fear j 

* Alluding to the grant of Magna Charta, which was extorted 
{rem king John by the Barons at Runnymede near Windfor. 

12 



Il6 BXPOSTX^LATIOir. 

They could not piirchafe earth with fuch a prize. 
Or fpare a life too fliort to reach the ikies. 
From th^m to thee convcy'd along the tide. 
Their ftreaming hearts pour'd freely when they died; 
Thofe troths, which neither ufe nor years impair. 
Invite thee, woo thee, to the blifs they ffaare. 
What dotage will not vanity maintain ? 
. What web too weak to catch a modern brain ? 
The moles and bats in full aifembly find. 
On fpecial fearch, the keen-ey'd eagle blind. 
And did they dream, and art thou wifer now ? 
Prove it — ^if better, I fubmit and bow. 
Wifdom and goodnefs are twin -born, one heart 
Muft hold both fillers^ never feen apart. 
So then — as darknefs overfpread the deep. 
Ere nature rofe from her eternal fleep. 
And this delightful earth, and that fair iky, 
Leap'd out of nothing, call'd by the Moft High ; 
By fuch a change thy darknefs is made light. 
Thy chaos order, and thy weaknefs might; 
And He, whofe powV mere nullity obeys. 
Who found thee nothing, form*d thee for his praife. 
To praife him is to ferve him, and fulfil. 
Doing and fuff *ring, his unquefiion'd will ; 



BZPOSTUX. ATI OH. 117 

Tis to believe what men iDfpir'd of old. 
Faithful, and faithfully informed, unfold ; 
Candid and jufi, with no falfe aim in view. 
To take for truth what cannot but be true ; 
To learn in God*s own fchool the Cbrittian part^ 
And bind the tafk a(fign*d thee to thine heart : 
Happy the man there feekiiig and there founds 
Happy the nation where fuch men abound 1 

How fhall a verfe imprefs thee ? by what name 
Shall I adjure thee not to court thy ihame? 
By their's whofe bright example, unimpeach^d, 
Direds thee to that eminence they reached— ^ 
Heroes and worthies of days pad, thy iires ? 
Or his, who touch*d their hearts with hallow'd fires? 
Their names, alas ! in vain reproach an age. 
Whom all the vanities they fcorn'd engage ; 
And his^ that feraphs tremble at, is hung 
Difgracefully on evVy trifler's tongue, 
Or ferves the champion in fbrenfic war 
To flourifh and parade with at the bar. 
Pleafure herfelf» perhaps^ fuggeih a plea. 
If infreft move thee, to perfuade e*en thee. 
By ev'ry charm that fmiles upon her face. 
By joys poflefs'd, and joys fliJl held in chafe. 



118 .ttX»0«TVLATIOtr. 

If dear focietf be worth a thongfat. 
And if the feafl of fiieedom doy thee not, 
Refle6t that thefe, and all that feems thine own^ 
Held by the tenure of his will alone» 
Xike angds in the fendce of their Lord, 
Remain with thee, or leave thee at bis word ; 
That gratitude and temperance in our ufe 
Of what he gives, unfparing and profufe. 
Secure the favour, and enhance the joy. 
That thanklels wafie and wild abufe deftroy. 
But, above all, refled — ^how cheap foe*er 
Thofe rights that millions envy thee appear. 
And though refolv*d to riik them, and fwim down 
The tide of pleafure, heedleft of his frown—- 
That bleflings truly facred, and when giv*n 
Mark*d with the fignature and f^amp of heav*n. 
The word of prophefy, thofe truths .divine 
Which make that heav*n if thou deiareit thine, 
(Awful alternative 1 bdiev'd, belov'd, 
Thy glory 5 and thy (hame, if unimproved) 
Are never long vouchfaf'd, if pu{h*d aiide 
With cold difguit or philoibpfa&c pride; 
And that, judidally withdcawn, diigrace, 
^rror, and darknefs, occupy their place,. ^ 



A workl is up ia Btms, and thou, a tpot 
Not quickly fouod if ncg^igenllf foogkt^ 
Thy fool as ample as tby booods are fmaU^ 
Endar^ft the brunt^ and dar'ft defy them all : 
And wilt thoa jdn to this i)old enterprise 
A bolder fHll^ a conteft nHth the Ocies? 
Remember> if he guard thee and fecure, 
Who'er avails thee, thy (uccefs is furq; 
But, if he leave thee> though the (kill and pow*r 
Of nationt^ fworn to fpoil thee apd devour^ 
Were all coUeded in thy iingle arro. 
And thou oouldft laugh away the fear of bans* 
That firength would fail^ opposed agaiofi the puih 
And feeble onfet of a pigmy rn(h. 

Say not (and, if the thought of fuch defence 
Should fpring within th^ bofom, drive it thence)' 
What nation amongft all my foes is free 
From crimes as bafe as any charged on me ? 
Their meafare (iird, they too fhall pay the debt 
Which Grod> though long forborn) will not forget.. 
But know that wrath divine, when mod feyere. 
Makes juftice fiill the guide of his career, 
And will not puni(h, in one mingled crowd, 
Them without light, and thee without a cloud.. 

8 



IM JIZ'POSTULATIOir. 

Mufe, hang this harp upon yon aged beecby 
Still marm'ring with the folemo troths I teach; 
And^ while, at intervals, a cold blall iings 
Through the dry leaves, and pants upon the firings, 
My foul ihali figh in fecret, and lament 
A nation fcourg*d, yet tardy to repent. 
I know the warning fong is fung in vain; 
That few will hear, and fewer heed the drain: 
But, if a fweeter voice, and one defign*d 
A bleffittg to my country and mankind, 
Reclaim the wand*ring thoufands, and bring home 
A flock, fo fcatter d and fo wont to roam. 
Then place it once again betweei^ my knees; 
The found of truth will then be furc to pleafe : 
And truth alone, where'er my life be caft. 
In fcenes of plenty or the pining wafle, 
Shall be my chofen theme, my glory to the laft. 



HOPE. 



'doceas iter etfacra oftia pandas* 

ViBO. Eo. C^ 



i 

AiK what is buxnan life— 'the fage replies^ 
With dilappointtnent lowering ia his ejres^ . 
A painful paiiage o*er a refilefs dood^ 
A vain purfuit of fugitive falfe good^ 
A fcene of fancied blifs and heart-felt care, 
Cloiing at laft in darknefs and defpair. 
The poor, inur*d to drudg'ry and diftrefe. 
Ad without aim, think little, and feel lefs. 
And no where^ but in feign'd Arcadian fcenes^ 
Tafie happtnefs, or know what pleafure means* « 
Riches are pafs'd away from hand to hand, 
As fortune, vice, or folly, may command* 



122 « o P B. 

As in a dance the pair that take the lead 
Turn downward^ and the loweft pair fucceed. 
So (hiftiog and fo various is the plan 
By which HeaY*n rules th6 miitt affairs of man : 
Vicifiitude wheels round the motley crowd. 
The rich grow poor, the poor beeome purfe-proudj 
Bus nefs is labour, and, mans weaknefs fuchj 
Pleafure is labour too, and tires as much, 
The very lenfe of it foregoes its ufe. 
By repetition pall'd, by age obtuie. 
Youth led in diflipation, we deplore, 
Through life*s fad remnant, what no fighs refiore^ 
Our years, a fruitlefs race without a priae. 
Too many, yet too few to make us wife. 

Dangling his cane about, and taking fnoff, 
Lothario cries, What philofophic ftoff — 
Oh, querulous and weak 1 — whofe ufeleis brain 
Once thought of nothing, and now thinks in vain ^ 
Whofe eye, reverted, weeps o*er all the paft, 
Whofe profped (hows thee a difheart'ning wa&Ry 
Would age in thee rcfign his wintry reign. 
And youth invigorate that frame again, 
Renew*d defire would grace with other fpeedi 
Joys alwa3rs priz*d-«-when plac*d within our reach*. 



BOPS. 1)3 

For lift thy palfied head, fliake otf the gloom 
That overhangs the borders of thy tomb. 
See nature, gay as when ihe 6t&. began. 
With fmiles alluriog her admirer man $ 
She fpreads the morning over eaflern hiils , 
£arth glitters with the drq» the night diftils i 
The fun, obedient, at her call appears 
To £ing his glories o'er the robe fhe wears ; 
Banks clothed with flow'rs, groves filFd with 

fprightly founds. 
The yellow tilth, green meads, rocks, riling 

grounds, 
Streams«edg*d with oficrs, fattening ev*ry field 
Where'er they jfiow, now feen and now conceaFd ; 
From the blue rim where ikies and mountains meet, 
Down to the very turf beneath thy feet. 
Ten* thoufand charms, that only fools defpife. 
Or pride can look at with indifTrent eyes. 
All fpeak one language, all with one fweet voice 
Cry to her univerfal realm, Eejoice I 
Man feds the fpur of paflions and defires. 
And (he gives largely more than he requires $ 
Not that, his hours devoted all to care, 
HcUoW'iey'd abfttoence, and lean defpair. 



124 HOPS. 

The wretch maj pine, while tohis fmell^ tafte, ^hc. 

She holds a paradife of rich delight ; 

But gently to rebuke his awkward fear, 

To prove that what (he gives (he gives fincerc. 

To baiiiih hefitation, and proclaim 

His happineis, her dear, her only aim. 

Tis grave philofophy^s abfurdeft dream. 

That heav n*s intentions are not what thqr feem. 

That only fliadows are difpens*d below> 

And earth has no reality bat woe. 

Thus things tenredrial wear a di^Trent hue. 
As youth or age perfuades 5 and neither true : 
So Flora's wreath through coloured cryftal feen. 
The rofe or lily appears blue or green, 
But fiill th' imputed tints are thofe alone 
The medium leprefents, and not their own. 

To rife at noon, £t ilipihod and undreis'd. 
To read the news, or fiddle, as feems beft. 
Till half the world comes rattling at his door^ 
To fill the dull vacuity till four; 
And, juft when ev'ning turns the blue vauk gray» 
To fpend two hours in drefiing for the day; 
To make the fun a bauble without u£e, 
Savefor the fruits his heav'nly beams produce^ . 



B O P B» 125- 

Quite to forget, or deem it worth no thought. 

Who bidg him ihioe, or if he (hioe or not; 

Through mere neceffity to ciofe his eyes 

Jnft when the larks and when the (hepherds rife ; 

Is fuch a life, fo tedioufly the lame. 

So void of all utility or aim, 

Hiat poorJovouiL, with almoft ev'ry breath. 

Sighs for his exit, vurgarly caird death : 

For he, with all his follies, has a mind 

Not yet fo blank, or fafiiionably blind. 

But now and then, perhaps, a feeble ray 

Of diflant wifdom ihoots acrofs his way. 

By which he reads, that life without a plan. 

As ufele(s as the moment it began. 

Serves merely as a foil for difcontent 

To thrive in ; an incumbrance, ere half (pent. 

Oh I wearinefs beyond what afles feel. 

That tread the circuit of the ciftem wheel ; 

A dull rotation, never at a day, 

Yefterday's face twin image of to-day ; 

While convcrfation, an exbaafied flock. 

Grows drowfy as the clicking of a clock. 

No need, he cries, of gravity fluff*d out 

With academic dignity devout. 



120* HOPE. 

To i:ead wife ledores— ^vaoi^ the test ! 
Proclaim the remedy^ je learned^ next ; 
For truth, felf-evident» with pomp knprefs'd^ 
Is vanity furpailing all the reH. 

That remedy, not hid in deeps profound. 
Yet feldom fought where only to be found. 
While paflion turns afide from its due icope 
Th* inquirer*8 aim— 4jiat remedy is hope. 
Life is his gift, fiom whom whatever life needs, 
With ev*ry good and perfed gift, proceeds i 
Beflow*d on man, like all that we partake. 
Royally, freely, lor his bounty fake ; 
Tranfient indeed, as is the fleeting hour, 
And yet the feed of an immortal flow'r^ 
Defign*d, in honour of his endkfi love^ 
To fill with fragrance lua abode above; 
No trifle, hov^oever fliort it feeoa. 
And, howfoeyer ihadowy, no dream; 
Its value, what no thought can aiicertaio. 
Nor all an angel's doquence explaia* 
Men deal with life as children with their play, 
Who flrfl mifufe, then cafl their toys away; 
Live to no fober purpoie, and contend 
That their Creator had no ferious end. 



HOPEr 127' 

When Grod and man fiand oppofite in Tiew, 

Man 8 difappointment muft of conrfe enfne. 

The jud Creator coadftfoends to write, 

In beams of inestinguifliable light. 

His names of wifdom, goodnefs, pow*r, and love. 

On all that blooms below, or fhines above ; 

To catch the wand*ring notice of mankind, 

And teach the world, if not perverfely blind. 

His gracions attributes, and prove the ibare 

His offspring hold in his paternal care. 

If, led from earthlj things to things divine, 

His creatnre thwart not his augaft defign» 

Then praife is heard infiead of reas'ning pride. 

And captions cavil and complaint fnbfide. 

Nature, emploj'd in her allotted place. 

Is handmaid to the pnrpofes of graoe; 

B7 good vonch£if 'd, makes known faperior ^ood. 

And blifs not feen, by bleffings miderfiood : 

That bliisy leveaFd in fcripture, with a glow 

Bright as the covenant-enfuring bow. 

Fires all bis feelings with a noble fconi 

Of fenfoal evil, and thns Hope is born. 

Hope fets the ftamp of vanity on all 
That men have deem*d fabftantial fince the fall, 



1^ H O P B4 

Yet has the wondrous, virtue to educe 
From emptinefs itfelf a real ufe ; 
And, while ihe takes, as at a father's hand^ 
What iiealth aod fober appetite demand, 
From fading good derives, with cbemic art, 
That lafting happinefs, a thankful heart. 
Hope, with uplifted foot fet free from earth. 
Pants for the place of her ethereal birth, 
On Heady wings fails through th* immenfe abjfs, 
Plucks amaranthine joys from bow^rss of blifs, 
And crowns the foul, while yet a mourner here, 
With wreaths like thofe triumphant fpirits wear. 
Hope, as an anchor firm and fure, holds {a& 
The Chriftian vedel, and defies the blaft. 
Hope ! nothing elfe can nourifh and fecure 
His new-born virtues, and preferve him pure. 
Hope ! let the wretch, once confcious of the joy« 
Whom now defpairing agonies deflroy, 
Speak, for he can, and none fo well as he. 
What treafures centre, what delights, in thee. 
Had he the gems, the fpices, and the land 
That boafts the treafure, all at his command ; 
The fragrant grove, th* inefiimable mine. 
Were light when weighed againil one fmile of thine. 



*ft 



H o r B. 129 

Though clafp'd and cradled in his iiurfe*8 anrit^ 
He ihine with all a cherab's artlefs chonm; 
Man is the genuine otflspring of reTolt^ 
Stubborn and fhirdj— ^ wild afs's colt i 
His paOions, like the wat'ry dopes thai deep 
Beneath the fmiling Surface of the deep. 
Wait but the lafhes of a wintry dorm, 
To frown and roar, and fliake h^ feeble form; 
From infancy, through childhood's giddy matle^ 
Froward at fchool, and fretful in his plays, 
The puny tyrant bums to fubjugate 
The free republic of the whip gig date. 
If one^ his equal in athletic frame, 
Or, noore provoking dill, of n6bler narne^ 
Dares diep act'ofs his arbitrary view^, 
An Iliad, only not in verfe, enfues : 
The little Greeks look trembling at the fcales. 
Till the bed tongue, or heavied hand, prevails. 

Now fee him launched ioto' the world at large. 
If pried, fupinely droning o*er Ms charge. 
Their deece his pillow; and his weekly drawV, 
Though ihort, too long, the price he pays for all. 
If Iflix^er, loud whatever caufe he plead. 
But prouded^ of this word, if that fucceed. 

vox*. 1. K 



130 . HOTS. 

Perhaps a grate phyfician, gath'ring fecB, 
Pandu*ll7 paid for lcngth*ning out difeafc j 
No Cotton, wbofe humanity (beds rays 
That make fuperior ikili his fecond praife. 
If arms engage him, he devotes to fport 
His date of life, fo likely to be ihort. 
A foldier may be any thing, if brave ; 
So may a tradefman, if not quite a knave. 
Such fluff the world is made of 3 and mankind. 
To paflion, int'reft, plcafure, whim, refign*d, 
Iniift on, as if each were his own pope, 
Forgivenefs, and the privilege .of hope. 
But confcience^ in fome awful filent hour. 
When captivating lulls have lofl their pow'r — 
Perhaps when ficknefs, or fome fearful dream. 
Reminds him of religion, bated theme ! — 
Starts from the down on which (he lately flept, 
And tells of laws defpis'd, at lead not kept j 
Shows, with a pointing finger but no noife, 
A pale procefiion of pa ft finful joys. 
All witnelles of bleffings foully fcorn*d. 
And life abus*d, and not to be fuborn'd. 
Mark thefe, fhe fays^ thefe, fummon*d from afar. 
Begin their march, to meet thee, at the bar; 



HOPE. 131 

There find a Judge inexorably juft, 

And perilh there, as all prefumptiQo mud. 

Peace he to thofe (fuch peace as earth can give) 
Who live in pleafure, dead ev*n while they live j 
Born capable, indeed, of heav nly truth ; 
But down to lateft age, from earlieU youth. 
Their raind a wildernefs, through want of care. 
The plough of wifdom never ent*ring there. 
Peace (if infenlibility may claim 
A right to the meek honours of her name) 
To, men of pedigree, their noble race. 
Emulous always of the neareft place 
To any throne except the throne of grace. 
(Let cottagers and unenlightened fwatns 
Revere the laws they dream that heav'n ordains; 
Kefort on Sundays to the Jioufe of pray*r, 
And aik, and fancy they find, blefiings there.) 
Themfclves, perhaps, when weary they retreat 
T enjoy cool nature in a country feat, 
T exchange the centre of a thoufand trades, 
For clumps, and lawns, and ten^les, and cafcades. 
May now and then their velvet cushions take, 
And feem to pray, for good example fake; 

K2 



132 H O P E. 

Judging, in charity no doubt^ the town 
Pious enough, and having need of none. 
Kind fouls I to teach their tenantry to prizfc 
What they themfehes, without remorfe, defpifc: 
Nor hope have they, nor fcar> of aught to come— 
As we)) for them bad prophecy been dumb. 
They could have held the condu61 they piirfue, 
Had Paul of Tarfus Kv'd and died a Jew 5 
And truth, proposed to reas'ners wife as they. 
Is a pearl caft — completely caft away. 
They die. — Death lends them, pleas'd, and as in 
fport, 
All the grim honours of his ghaftly court. 
Far other paintings grace the chamber now. 
Where late we faw the mimic landfcape glow : 
The bufy heralds hang the fable fcene 
With mournful 'fcutcheons, and dim laaip» 

between 3 
Proclaim their titles to the crowd around. 
But they that wore them move not at the found; 
The coronet, plac*d idly at their head. 
Adds nothing now to the degraded dead. 
And ev*n the fiar that glitters on the bier 
Can only fay — ^Nobility lies here. 



B O P B. 133 

Peace to all fach — ^'twere pity to offend. 
By ufelefs cenfure, wbotn we cannot mend ; 
Life without hope can clofe bat in defpair-— 
Twas there we found them, and muft leave them 
there. 

As, when two pilgrims in a foreil flray. 
Both may be ]o(l, yet each in his own way; 
So fares it with the multitudes beguird 
In vain opinion's wade and dang rous wild. 
Ten thoufand rove the brakes and thorns among. 
Some eaft ward, and fome wedward, and all wrong. 
But here, alas ! the fatal diff'rence lies-^ 
Each man^s belief is right in his own eyes ; 
And he that blames, what they have blindly chofe. 
Incurs refentment for the love he (hows. 

Say, botanid, within whofe province fall 
The cedar and the hyifop on the wall. 
Of all that deck the lanes, the fields^ the bowVs, 
What parts the kindred tribes of weeds and flowVs ? 
Sweet fcent, or lovely form, or both combined, 
Didinguifli evVy cultivated kind ; / 

The want of both denotes a meaner breed, . 
And Chloe from her garland picks the weed. 



134 HOPS. 

Thus hopes of evVy fort, whatever {e6i 
Efteem them, low them, rear them, and prote6t» 
If wild in nature, and not duly found, 
Gethfcmane, in thy dear hallowed ground. 
That cannot bear the blaze of fcripturc fight,' 
Nor cheer the fpirit, nor refrefh the fight, 
Nor animate the foul to Chriflian deeds, 
(Oh caft them from thee!) are weeds, arrant weeds. 

Ethelred*s houfe, the centre of Gx ways. 
Diverging each from each, like equal rays, 
Himfelf as bountiful as April rains. 
Lord paramount of the furrounding plains. 
Would give relief of bed and board to none. 
But guefts that fought it in th* appointed One. 
And they might enter at his open door, 
Ev'n till his fpacious hall would hold no naore. 
He fent a fervant forth by evVy road, 
To found his horn and publifh it abroad. 
That all might mark— knight, menial, high and 

low — 
An ord*na|jce it concern*d them much to know* 
If, after all, fome headftrong hardy lout 
Would difobey, though fure to be ihut out. 



H o r s. 135 

Could he wuB realba mnrmur at hit caife, 
Himfelf fole author of his own difgrace? 
No t the decree was juli and without fldw^ 
And he that made, had right to make^ the Idw; 
His fov'rcign powV and pleafoFe nnreftraih*d; 
The wrong was his who 'wrongfully complain'd. 

Yet half mankind main tain a churlifh ftrife 
With him the Donor of eternal life, 
Becaufe the deed^ by which his love confirms 
The largefs he bedows^ prefcribes the terms; 
Compliance with his will your lot enfores — ^^• 
Accept ife only> and the boon is your*s^ 
And fure it is as kind to fmile and give» 
As with a frown to fay — ^Do this, and live ! 
Love is not pedlars trumpVy, bought and fold^ 
He ivill give freely, or he at;/// withhold ^ 
His foul. abhors a mercenary thought,. 
And' him as deeply who abhors it not> 
He fiipulates, indeed, but merely this— > 
That man will freely take an unbought blifa^ 
Will truft him for a faithful gen rous part^ . 
Nor iet a price upon a willing heart. 
O^ alkthe ways that feem*d to promife fiiir> . 
To place you where his faints his prefence fbsire^ 



130 HORX, 

This Qol7>oan; for this plain caufe, exprd&'d 
In terms as plain---himfelf has ibut the xeft. 
But oh the ftrife, the bickring, and debate. 
The tidings of unpnrchas*d hieav'n.ccQate ! 
The flirted fan^ the bridle, and the tois^ 
AU fpeakers^ yet ail language at a loft. 
From .fliicco*d walls fmart arguments rebound 3 
And beaus^ adepts in ev*ry thing profound. 
Die of difdain. or whifQe off the found. 
Such is the damoar.of rooks, daws» and kites, 
Th*-6Kp]ofion of the levelled tube excites. 
Where mould'ring abbey-walls o'echaogihe gladcj 
And oaks coeval fppead a mournful ihade. 
The {beaming nations, hov nng in mid air. 
Loudly refent the itranger*s freedom there. 
And foem to warn bim never to repeat 
His bold intrufion on their dark retreat. 

Adieu, Vinofa cries, ere yet he iips 
The purple buipper, trembling at his lips. 
Adieu to all morality— if grace 
Make works a vaio ingredient in Cheoafe ! 
The Chriftian hope is — Waiter, draw the cork-* 
If I miftake not->-^lockhead t with a fork \^ 



HOPS. 487 

^Without good works, wbalovec (ome ma^ bpaft^ 
Mere folly and delufion-r^r, your (oaft 1 — 
My firm perfuafion is^ at leaii ibmetUDCB^ 
That heay*n will weigh mao's virtueaand hiscrimes 
With nice att^itton, in a lightepiu fi:aie^ 
And fave or dama aa tbefe or tbofe prevail. 
I idant my foU .upoa tbia rground of traft, 
And filence.ev'ry ^ear>\yitb-r-C}od isyuft. 
But if perchance^ oafQine dull dnzzliog day, 
A thought intrude ^at llays, or feema to &y. 
If thu9L th' impoctant oapie is to betried^ 
Suppofe the beam fliould.dip od* the wrong :fide; 
J foon ^recover from, thefe needle6 frights^ 
And, God is merciful-*fet3.dll to rights. 
Thus, between juftice, as.my prime fupport. 
And mercy^ fled to as the laft jefort, 
I glide and ileal along wkh beav'n in view, 
And-*pardon m^^the bottle ilands with you. 

I never will believe, the coVnel cries, 
Tbe.fangttinary fghemes.thatforae demife. 
Who make the good Creator, on their plan, 
A being of lefs^ equity than man. 
If 9ppetite, or what divines call luft, 
Which men comply witb> e'en bcqaufetbey muft. 



138 HOVE. 

Be punifli*d with perdition, who is pure ? 

Then their's, no doubt, as well as mine, is farR- 

If fenteoce of eternal pain belong 

To ev'ry fudden flip and tranfient wrong, 

Then heav'n enjoins the fallible and frail 

An hopelefs talk, and damns them if they fail I 

My creed (whatever foine creed -makers meaa 

By Athanafian nonfenfe, or Nicene) 

My creed is — ^he is fafc that does his bed. 

And death's a doom fufficient for the reft. 

Right, fays an en^gn; and, for aught I fee» 
Your faith and mine fubftantially agree; 
The beft of ev'ry man's performance hisre 
Is to difcharge the duties of his fphere. 
A lawyer's dealings ihould be juft and fair — 
Honefty fliines with great advantage there. 
Fading and pray'r fit well upon a pried' — 
A decent caution and refer ve at lead. 
A foldier*s bed is courage in the fields 
With nothing here that wants to be conceard: 
Manly deportment, gallant, eafy, gay;- 
An hand as lib'ral as the light of day. 
The foldier thus endow'd, who never dirinks. 
Nor clofets up bis thought^ whate*er he thioki^ 
6 



HOPS. )39 

M^ho fcoras to do an injury by ftcalth. 
Mud go to heav*n — and I muft drink his health. 
Sir Smug, he cries, (for loweft at the board — 
Juft made fifth chaplain of his patron lord, 
His ihoulder^ witneflSng by a many a ihrug 
How much his feeling fufFered— fat Sir Smug) 
Your office is to winnow falfc from true -, 
Come, prophet, drink, and tell us— What think 
you? 
Sighing and fmiling as he takes his glafs. 
Which they that woo preferment rarely paft,^ 
Fallible man, the church-bred youth replies^ 
Is ftill found fallible, however wife; 
And difTring judgments ferve but to declare 
That truth lies fomewbere, if we knew but wherc^ 
Of all it ever was my lot to read. 
Of critics now alive or long fioce dead. 
The book of all the world that chann'd me mott 
Was — ^well-a day, the title page was loft! 
The writer well remarks, an heart that knows 
To take with gratitude what heaven beflows» 
With prudence always ready at our call 
'To guide our ufe of it^ is aU in all. 



L.* 



Doiibtlefs it.is.-rTo wbicby^afiiiy pvrn.ftqre, 

J fyj^r^d a.few j^iieotials more ^ 

But th^fe, iC^.qiifiB the Ul^ty I t^fee, 

I wave.jaft now, fpr cfU\Yer&t:ipaffftke«— -^ 

Spoke l\k^ ^n i^at^le, tbey alltCificl^iifny 

And 94^1 BigbtRcv'i^epd to Siiiugvs^i^^aov^r'd aame 1 

And yet oqr l<^t is giv*D uS{i^ ^a. l^ead 
'^j^here bufy ar^s.^rpi^eyerat a (t^ad^ 
Where fcience points her telefcopic cy-c, 

¥am\\m mtthiiha yi^oni^rs of thcikj } 
Wbere;bQld.»)<|airy,.(|iMipg <mtcf;6gbt, 
Briqgfi.fQafiy a. precious ipqart of trntli> to %bt; 
Where nought eludes.tbe perfeveriog queft. 
That &flibn, taiie»,or luxury, Tugged. 

But, above all, in. her own light array*d. 
See mercy's grand apocalypfe difplay'd I 
The facred book no longer fuffers wrong. 
Bound in the fitters of an unknown tongue) 
But fpeaks. with plainnef», art could never mend. 
What fimpl^ft minds, can fooneft comprehend. 
God gives tbe.wQrd-r^the pi^acbers throng around, 
Live from Jiisf lips, and fpread/tbegkntious found : 
That found befpeaks ialvation op,h^r way. 
The trumpet of a life-refloring day I 



BOPS. I4l 

^is heard trhete Englahd*8 eaftern glory ihitiedi 
And in the golphs of her Cortiubian mines. 
And dill it fpreads. See Germany fend forth 
Her fons * to pour it on the fartheft north : 
Fir*d with a zeal peculiar, they defy 
The rage and rigour of a polar iky, 
And plant faceefsfully fweet Sharon's rofe 
On icy plains^ and in eternal fnoi^s< 

Oh, bleft within th' enclofure of your rocks, 
Nor herds have ye to boaft, nor hleatfog. floeks^ 
No fertilizing flreams your fields divide. 
That ihow, reversM, the villas on their £de ; 
No grovefr have ye $ no cheerfbl found of bird, 
Or voice of tianle» in yonf land iisr hedrd; 
Nor grateful eglantine regdflds the fmdl 
Of thofe thdt walk at< evening where ye dwdti : 
But winter, arro*d with terrors here unkitown, 
Sits abfolute on his unihaken throne; 
Piles up his (lores amtdft the fi^oeen wade, 
And bids the mountains he has buik dand fad 5 
Beckons the legions of his dorms away 
From-happier fcenes, to make your land a prey; 

* The Moravian mil&oiiaria in Greeiflatad. Vid^rKruitz; 
8 



342 a o p B. 

Prodaima the foil a conqueft be has won. 
And fcorns to (hare it with the diftant fun. 
—Yet truth is your*8, remote, upcnvied ifle I 
And peace> the genuine offspring of her fmile; 
The pride of letter'd ignorance, that binds 
In chains of errour our accompli Qi*d minds. 
That decks, with all the fplendour of the true, 
A falfe religion, is unknown to you. 
Nature indeed vouchfafes, for our delight. 
The fweet viciffitudes of day and night; 
Soft airs and genial moiflure feed and cheer 
Field, fruit, and flow*r, and ev'ry creature here; 
But brighter beams, than his who fires the ikies, 
Have ris*n at length on your admiring eyes. 
That fhoot into your darkeft caves the day^ 
From which our nicer optics turn away. 

Here fee th* encouragement grace gives to vice. 
The dire efied of mercy without price ! 
What were they ? what fome fools are made by art. 
They were by nature — atheifts, head and heart. 
The girofs idolatry blind heathens teach 
Was too refin*d for them, beyond their reach. 
Not ev'n the glorious fun — though men revere 
The monarch moft that feldom will appear^ 



HOPE.. 14ft 

And tho' his beams, that quicken where they ihin^ 
May claim fome right to be elleem*d divw — 
Not e'en the fun, deiirahle as rare, 
Could bend one knee» engage one vot'ry there 1 
They were, what bafe credulity believes 
TrueChriftians are,diflemblers, drunkards, thieves. 
The full-gorged favage, at his naufeous feall 
Spent half the darknefs, and fnor d out the refl. 
Was one whom judice, on an equal plan. 
Denouncing death upon the (ins of man. 
Might almoA have indulged with an efcape. 
Chargeable only with an human ihape. 

What are they now ? — Morality may fpare 
Her grave concern, her kind fufpicions, there: 
The wretch, who once fang wildly, danc*d and 

laugh'd. 
And fuck*d in dizzy madnefs with his draught, 
Has wept a (ilent Hood, reversed his ways. 
Is fober, meek, benevolent, and prays. 
Feeds fparingly, communicates his (lore. 
Abhors the craft he boa (led of bt*fore — 
And he that dole has learn'd to ileal no more, 
Weil fpake the prophet, Let the defert fing, 
Where iprang the thorn the fpiry £r ihall fpring,^ 



Aod wheffe ttnfightly ahd rank thi^lin gm^ 
Shall grow the myrtle and luitiriant yew: 

Go now^ and with iiUportatit^ tone dedoabd 
On what foundation virtnfc h td ftiind, 
If felf-exalting claims be tilrn'd adrift^ 
And grace be grace indeed, and life a giA. 
The poor reclaim'd inhabitant, his eyes 
Glift'ning at once with pity and furprifei 
Amaz*d that ihadows fhodld obfcure the fight 
Of one whofe birth was in a land df llghfi 
Shall anfwer, Hope, fweet hopt, has (et- oi'e free, 
And made all pleftfures elfe thert drofs to tne. 

Thefe, amidflfcenes as wafle as if denied 
The common- care that waits on all befide. 
Wild as if nature therte, void of all good, 
Play*d only gambols in a frantic mood, 
(Yet charge not heav*nly HkiM with having phtaid 
A play-thing world, unworthy of hSs hand I) 
Can fee his love, though fecret ev^ lurks 
In all we tou<ih, i!lamp*d plainly on hi^ works; 
Deem life a blei&ng with- its numerous wofes^ 
Nor fpurn away a gift a God beflows. 
Hard talk, iiideed> o*er ar^c feas to roam I 
Is hope exotic ? grows it not at home ? 



HOP E, 145 

Ye«, but an objeft, bright as orient xnom^ ' 
May prefe the eye too clofely to be bornj 
A diltant virtue we can all coofefs^ 
It hurts our pride, and moves our cnvy, lefs, 

Leucononaus (beneath well- founding .Greek /.. 
I flur a name a poet mud not fpeak) 
Stood pilloried on infamy's high ftajge. 
And bore the pelting fcore of half an age; 
The very butt of flander, and the blot 
For ev'ry dart that malice ever Ihot. 
The man that mentioned him at once difmifs'd : 
All mercy from his lips, and fneer d and hifii'd ; : 
His crimes were fuch as Sodom never knew^ 
And perjury flood up to fwearall true; . 
His aim was mifchief^ and his teal pretence. 
His fpeech rebeUion againft common fenfb; . '■ 
A knave, when tried on honefty's plain rule^ • 
And, when by that of reafon, a mere fool; 
The world's befl comfort was, his doom waspafs'd^ 
Die when he might, he raufi be damned at laH. \ 

Now, truth, perform thine office; waft afide 
The curtain drawn by prejudice and pride. 
Reveal (the man is dead) to wondering eyes 
This more than monger in his proper. guife. 

VOL. I. L 



%40 H O F «• 

He lov^ tile wt>rld that hated him : iht t^ar 
That dropped upon hts Bible ^^^ fiDcere : 
Aifail'd by fcanddl md th6 t<togUe of fltitbi 
His ODly Bxl(¥i^ wafs> ft bkimetefd life; 
And he that forg'd^ and he thdt thfeMi^, ihd dM; 
Had each a brother's ittt^ed in bil hmrt ! 
PauFs love of Chrift, and fteadineft unbrib'd. 
Were copied cidfe in fattii> ^nd v^^ tt^tCdtiWA. 
He followed Paul^-^h&s teal a kindred fian^e^ 
His apoftolic charity the fame* 
Like him, en>fs*d eheerfuUy tetnpeticton^ fhast, 
Forfakit«g dountry, kindred, (tittid^ and eaf^i 
Like hltn he laborff*d, and, like hitin, eobt^nt 
To bear it> fttfkfdfkamt whereW he #eM. 

Bloft, calutiiny t and write npoki his tbnib. 
If honeft eulogy can fpare thee M(M[i> 
Thy deep repetttaffde of thy thdijfadd He*, 
Which, 8im*d atbitn) have pieit*d th'offeilded ikiesj 
Afid fay. Blot &aX my iln, eontbfs'd, deplored, 
Againft thine id^ge ^n ¥hy faiHit, <A Lord 1 

No blind<$r Ugot> I «nainfain it fiil!l> 
Than he wh'd mutt have pleafare^ conafe what t(^ r 
He laugh$) t^atever \ireapon tr&h Mby d^aW, 
And deeahfs h&c Hft^rp aftilkry mere ^w. 



H O P t. i47 

Scriptare^ indeed^ is plain 5 but God fttid he^ 
On fcriptni^ground, are Aire to difagree^ 
Some wifer rule vtiu& teach him how to livd^ 
Than this his Mak^r has feen fk to give ; 
Supple and flexible as Indian cane, 
1*0 take the bend hts apatites ordain ; 
Contriv*d to fuit frail nature's crazy calb. 
And recohctle his lufls with faviiig grace. 
By this, with nice precifion of defign» 
He draws upon li^^s map a zig-za^ litity 
That iliows how far 'tis fafe to follow iin^ 
And where his danger and God*s Wrath b^gin. 
By this he forms, as pleas*d he fports alongi 
His w«ll pois*d eftimate of right and wrong; 
And £iid« tile modifh manners of the day, 
Though looie, as harmlefs as an infant's play. 

Btiild by whatever plan caprice decrees, 
Vnth what materials, on what ground, you pleafej 
Your hope (hall ftand umblam*d, perhaps admired. 
If not that hope the fcriptore has requir*d. 
The ffarange conoeits,vain pmjeds,and wild dreaitis^ 
With which hypocrify for ever tefcms, 
{Thoogh other follies ftrike the public eye, 
And rai£e a laugh) pais unmoleHed by; 

L2 



1^8; II o F K. 

But if, unblameable in word and thought, 
A man arife — a man whom God has taught, 
With^all Elijah's dignity of tone. 
And all the love of thfc beloved John — 
To ftorm the citadels they build in air. 
And fmite th* untemper'd wall \ 'tis death to fpare ! 
To fweep away all refuges of lies, 
And place, inftead of quirks themfelves deyife. 
Lama fahaSihmii before their eyeffj 
To prove that without Chrift all gain is lofs. 
All hope defpair, that flands not on his.crofs; 
Except the few liis God may have impref&'d, 
A tenfold frenzy feizes.;all the reft. .^ 

Throughout mankind,theChriflian kind at lead. 
There dwells a' confcioufnefs in ev'ry bread. 
That folly «6nds where genuine hope begins. 
And he that £nds his beav'n mufl lofe bis (ins. 
Nature oppofes, with herutmdfl; force, 
Xhifi riving ftroke, this ultimsltc divorce 5 
And, while religion feems to be her view, ; 
Hates with a deep fincerity7i^<? true: 
For this — of , all that ever influenc'd man. 
Since Ahel worfliipp'd, or the world began — 
This only ipares no luflj admits no pleaj .. 
But makes him, if at all,. completely free; 



Sounds forth the Bgnal^ as fhe mounts tier car; 
Of an eternal^ uairerfal war; 
B«je^ all treaty j penetrates all /voiles; 
Scorns with the fame indifF'rence frowns and fitiiles ; 
Drives through the realms of fin, where riot reels. 
And grinds his crown beneath her burning wheels ! 
Hence ^11 that is in man — pride, paOion^ art, 
.Pow'rs of the mind /and feelings of the heart-*— 
Infenfible of trath*s almighty charms, • 
Starts at her firfl approach, and founds^ To arms! 
While bigotry> with well diifembled feai8>. 
His eyes ihut fafly his fingers in his ears. 
Mighty to parry and paih by God's word ^ 

With fenfelefs iioife, his argument the fword. 
Pretends a zeal for godlinefs and grace. 
And fpits abhorrence in the Chriflian*s face. 

Parent of hope, immortal truth I make knowii^ 
Thy deathlefs wreaths and triumphs, all thine own: 
Therfilent progrefs of thy pow'r is fueh. 
Thy means fo feeble, and defpis'd fo much. 
That few believe the wonders thou haft wrought, 
And none can teach them but whom thou haftf 

' taught. 
Oh, fee me fworn to fervethee, and command 
A paiiiter's fkill into a poet's hand I  . 



110 iiopjt. 

Tbat^ while i, tiembling» trace a vctk divine^ 

Fancy may fland ajoof from the deSgo, 

And light, and fhade, and evVy ftrokc, be thine* 

If ever thou haft felt another's ^in. 
If ever when he figh*d haft figh*d agai% 
If erer on thy eye-lid ftood the tear 
That pity had engender^d^ drop one heret 
This man was happy^-^had the world's good word^ 
And with it ev*ry joy it can dffard^ 
Friendfliip and love foem'd tenderly at ftrife. 
Which moft ihould fweeten his nutroabled life) 
Politely leam'd, and of a gentle race^ 
Good-breeding and good ienCe gave a)l a grace^ 
And> whether at the toilette of the fair 
He laugb*d and trifted^ made him welcome there, 
Or, if in mafculine debate he ihar'd> 
Enfur'd him mute attention and regard. 
Alas, how cbang'4)— Expreffive of his mind> 
His eyes are funk, anas folded, head recUn*d) 
Thofe awful fyllabies, hdl, death, and fin. 
Though whilper*d, plainly tell what works within j 
That confctence there performs her prefer part. 
And writes a doomfday fentence on bis liearti 
Forfaking, and forfaken of all friends, 
He now perceives wheis earthly pleafnie ends^ 



Hard taik^^.^ one wbp l^e^ kpeir no c»P^ 

Hi» {lonrB 190 lot^i^r paft luiqiark'd away, 
>|l <i[irk isqportaoce faddens ev^iy daj^ 
He hears H^ ngtioe of the clopk, p^rplex*d. 
And cTi^frT-perdapa (pteroitj ftrikes next I' 
Sweet mafic is no l^ger mafic here* 
And^ UugktfiK fonofb Uke m^di^fs in* his ^r : 
His grief tbs yroxld of all her pow*r diikrms ] 
Wine has 90 tat^, and beautf has no charms : 
God's hpl^ w^d, once trivial in bis view> 
N(9W l>f the voiee of his experience trpe, 
Soen99» as it ip, the fountain whence alone 
Muft fpring that hope he pants to make his own. 

Now let the bright leverfe be known abroad ; 
Say man's a worm> and pow*r belongs to God. 

As when^a feloni whom his country's laws 
Have juflly doom*d for fome atrocious caufe, 
Expe^y in darkneis and heart-chilUog fears» 
The ibamefol dofe of all his raifpent years) 
If chance> on heavy pinions ilowly bom, 
A temp^ft n^r in the dreaded mom. 
Upon his dungeon walls the lightning play. 
The A9iid|»: iieems to fummon him ^way. 



isi 



tt O P E. 



The warder at the door his key applies. 
Shoots back the bolt, and all his courage dies : 
If then, juft then, all thoughts of mercy loft. 
When hope, long lingering, at laft yielda the ghoft> 
The found of pardon pierce his ftartled ear. 
He drops at once his fetters and his fear j 
A tranfport glows in all he looks and fpeak.4, 
And-the iirft' thankful tears bedew his cheeks. 
Joy, far fuperior joy, that much outweighs 
The comfort of a few poor added da3rs. 
Invades, pofleffes, and overwhelms, the foul 
Of him, whom hope has with a touch made whole. 
Tis heav'n, all heav'n, defcending on the wings 
Ctf the glad legions of the King of kings $ 
Tis more — ''tis God difFus'd through evry part, 
*Tis*God himfelf triumphant in his heart! • 

Oh, >frfelcome now the fun*s once hated light. 
His noon-day beams were never half fa bright. 
Not kindred rhinds alone are call'd t' employ 
Their hours, their days, in lifl'ning to his joy > 
UnconfcicJUS nature; all that he. furve}'s, ' • • 
Rocks, groves, and ftreams, miift join hinairi Bis-^ 

'praife. ' . *' . ' 

Thefe are 'thy glorious WDrks^ 'eternal truth, • ' 
The feoff of wither d age and beardlefs youth ', 



H O P M. 153 

Thrfc move the cenfure abd illib'ral gria 

Of fools that hate thee and delight in fin :. 

But thefe fhall laft when night has quench'd Ih^ 

And heay*n is all departed as a fcroll : 
And when, as juflice has long fince decreed. 
This earth fhall blaze, and a new world fucceed. 
Then thefe thy glorious works, and they who (hare 
That hope which can alone exclude defpair. 
Shall live exempt from weaknefs and decay. 
The brightell wonders of an endlefs day. 

Happy the bard, (if that fair name belong 
To him that blends no fable with his fong) 
Whofe lines, uniting, by an honefl art. 
The faithful monitor's and poet*s part, 
Seek to delight, that they may mend mankind. 
And, while they captivate, inform the mind: 
Still happier, if he til) a thankful foil, 
And fruit reward bis honourable toil : 
But happier far, who comfort thofe that wait 
To hear plain truth at Judah's hallow'd gate. 
Their language fimple, as their manners meek. 
No (hining ornaments have they to feek ; 
Nor labour they, nor time, nor talents, wafte. 
In Porting flow'rs to fuit a fickle talte ; 



1 



lU « • ? I. 

Bat^ while ijfitf fpeak the wiCdov^ of the &ica^ 
Which: art can ovly darkeo and iU(giiif«> 
Hi* abundant harvcfl:, mcompoiife divioft, 
Bepajs their work— the gleaning, only mi^c; 



CHARITY. 



<lu0 rukif mafif$ mpfh^V^ t^^^ 

JFaffit dqnav<r0^ kfni^f dkn, 

Ifef? dahtmt, qi^fWfvis fcd^cmt in aurtm 

Po», lib. IV. Ode if 



Faxr^kf a&d fqnmoSi ^f tb? tiaiq, tbat wait 
On maa*9 ippft 4igni6^4 V^^ bappieft ftate^ 
Whether we Q^iipie ibee Cb^ritj or love. 
Chief grap^ knWWt |iad all 19 all above, 
Fjwfper (I preft Uie$ with a ppw'rAii plw) 
A talk I V4mt9r<l on, impfsU'd by tbee : 
Qb» oever ten bat in 1% \Mf^ eS^» 
Or felt \>\4 in tbeiisa ttot bfviv'o &)^> 



156 C H A R I T Y. 

Who feeks to praife thee, and to make thee known 
To other hearts, muft have thee in his own. 
Come, prompt me with benevolent defirds. 
Teach me to.kiml1e^t .thy gentle ^ota, 
And, though difgrac*d and flighted, to redeem 
A poet*s name, by making thee the theme. 

God, working ever on a focxal plan. 
By various ties attaches man to man : 
He made at firft, though free and unconfin*d. 
One man the common father of the kind; 
That ev*ry tribe, though placed as he fees beft. 
Where feas or deferts part theth from the refl, 
DiflTring in language, manners, or- in face. 
Might feel themfelves allied to all the race. 
When Cook — ^lamented, and with tears as juft 
As ever mingled with heroic dud — 
Steered Britain's oak into a world unknown. 
And in his country's glory fought his own, 
Wherever he -found man, to nature true. 
The rights of nian were facred in his view. 
He foodi'd with gifts, and greeted with a fmile, 
The fimple'native.6f the newtfoiind iite; 
He fpum*d'the wretch that flighted or withftood 
The tender au-gument of kiiidred^blodd,: 



CHARITY.* >^» 

T^or weuld endure that zny ihoUld contrOul; . 
His free:.born brethren of the fouthem pole. • 

But, though ibme nobler minds a law refped, < 
That none ihall with impunity negled. 
In bafer fouls unnumber*d evUa meet/ 
To thwart its influence, and its end defeat. 
While Cook is lov'd for favage lives he fav*d> 
See Cprtez odious for a world eoHav'd ! 
Where wad thou then, fweet Charity ? where iben, 
Thoo tutelary friend of helplefs men ? ' 
Waft thou in monkifli cells and nunn'ries fonnd. 
Or building hofpitals on Engliih ground ? 
N<v— Mammon noalcefl thQ w^rld-his Ifegatiee 
Through fear; not love) and heav*n abhcMrs the fee. . 
Wherever, fotind, (and all men need thy care) 
Nor age nor infancy could find thee there. t 

The hand that Hew, till it could flay no more. 
Was glu'd to the fword*hilt with Indian gore. 
Their prince,, as juAly feated on his throne 
As vain imperial JPhilip on his own, 
Trick'd out of all his royalty by art, 
That firipp*d him bare, and broke his hbnefl.heart, . 
Died, by the fentence of a fhaven priefl, 
For fcorning what they taught him to detefL 



199 CRAB ITT. 

How dirk the v'eil that intdredpts the 
Of heav*n*s myileridus ^urpota and wtyi t 
God ftood 0^, thottgh he tem'd to tend, aloof; 
And at this hour the conqu*ior feefa tte ^ro6f : 
The wreath he won drew down an biftatit CBxkp 
"the fretting plafne Is iH' the pnblto pfarf«» 
.The oanlcer'd f|)oil corroded th^ pinitig fbit^, 
Starv*d by thfrt itiddeiice their Mnei i^iam. 

Oti^ eooM their anei^nt Ine^ ril^sa^ib. 
How would they take up Ifk^a tafiating ith^ i 
Ati thoa too Ml'a, lt»eiia ? fib we fee 
The robber and the itturd'fttf wtsak ftf we ? 
Thou, that haft Wafted eatth, aiad day*d detpHc 
Alike the wrath and tbercy of the ftiea> 
Thy j^mp h in the graven thy glory laid 
* Low in the pits tMne avatke hai made t 
We come with jdy fhsm our etenud te^ 
To fee th'oppfefloi' in his turtt oppitfsVI. 
Art thou the god, the tfmnder of wh<^ ha&d 
Hoird over ail onr d^elated land. 
Shook principaMtieB and kingdoms dewn» 
Afid made the mountains tremble at hb ftown } 
^The fword Ihs^ Hght Upon thy boafbd {kAt^rs, 
.And waAe themy as thy fWord iias wafted our's. 



And vengiftAAte c^tictites what jttflice wilk. 

AgAlA'-^lie band of .cotmsen^ was defigh'4 
T* tifhAaU M iht bt^bttefaog of msiKkldiid $ 
And« if a biittodltilSi plenty i>e tke Tob6» 
Trade is the goMen girdle of the globe* 
Wife to pttbmote whatever end he meant, 
•God e^ns fraitfnl natnte's tarions fcenes : 
EBch cfidmle needs what other cUmeb prodttee;^ 
And idfi^ fome^ng to iht g6n^ tXtj 
No land hat iiflens to the common call. 
And in tistutrfa n^beiims ftlppfy itota all. 
This genial xhteircOttiTe^ and tnntii^ M, 
Cheers what Wbr« eVfe an nnl^rfa! fliftdte^ 
Calls naturb flrdih h«r ivj tnantled disn^ 
And fofte^ htdtoan «odb-work in^> mbA. 
Ingenious Art| with hbr eipfeffire Rice, 
:8tep8 forA t6 fMhion and refine th& rads ; 
Not otaljr fills nieceiBty's dftmatid. 
But overcharge her .capadous hand t 
Capricious taAe itfelf can crave no ikMi^ 
Than ihe ftt^^tt frdcd her aboundSttg ilol«i 
She Hrlkes ont ail th)Eit luicury catt z% 
And gains new vigoor at her ettdlds tuik. 



,ti0 y- — 



}60 C HA MlTTt, 

Her*s is the fpacious arcb, the fliapdy fpiFe> 
The palp ter^s pencil^ and . the poet's lyre ; 
Frojf^ her the canvafs borrows light and ihade, 
And verfe^ more lading, hues that neiver fade. 
She guides the finger o*er the dancing kejs. 
Gives difficulty all the grace of eafe. 
And pours a torrent of fweet notes around. 
Fad as the thirsting ear can drink the found.. 

Thefe ^re the gifts of art) and art thrives moft 
Where commerce has enriched the bufy coafi. 
He catches all in>provements in his. flight, * 
Spreads foreign wonders in his country's fight, 
Imports what others have invented well. 
And ffirs his own to match them, or excel. 
Tis thus, reciprocating each with each. 
Alternately the nations learn and teach ; 
While providence enjoins to ey*ry foul 
An union with the vafl terraqueous whole. . 

Heav n fpeed the canvafs, gallantly unfurl'd 
To furniih and; accommpdate a world. 
To give th^ pole the produce of the fun. 
And ki;^t th* unfocial climates into one. — 
Soft airs and gentle.heavings of the wave 
Impel thejfieet whofe errand is to fave. 



CHAKITT. l6l 

To facconr^ wafted regions^ and replace 
The -fmile of opirience in forrow's face.— 
Let nothing adverfe, nothing nnfbrefeen. 
Impede the bark that plows the deep ferene. 
Charged with a freight tranfcending in its worth 
The gems of India, nature*s rareft birth^ 
That flies^ like Gabriel on his Lord's commands^ 
An herald of God's love to pagan lands. 
But, ah i what wifli can profper, or what prayV, 
Formerchants, rich in cargoes of defpair, 
Who drive a loathfome traffic, gage, and fpan. 
And buy, the mufcles and the bones of man ? 
The tender ties of father, hufband, friend. 
All bonds of nature, in that moment end j 
And each endures, while yet he draws faiis breath, 
A flroke as fatal as the fcjthe of death. 
The fable warrior, frantic with regret 
* Of her he loves,, and never can forget, 
Lofes in tears the far receding fhore. 
Bat not the thought that they mud meet no more^ 
Deprived of her and freedom at a blow. 
What has he left that he can yet forego ? 
Yes, to deep fadnefs fullenly re(ign*d. 
He feels hi« body's bondage in his mind 5 

VOL. X. M 



162 GHAK1TY. 

Puts off his genVous nature 5 anil, to fuit 
His manoei's with his fate, puts on the brote. 

Ob, mod degrading of all ills^that wait 
On man, a mourner in his bcft eftatel 
All other forrows virtue may endure. 
And find fubmiffion more than half a cure; 
Grief is ilfelf a med'cine, and beftow*d 
T* improve the fortitude that bears the load. 
To teach the wandVer, as his woes increafe, 
The path of wifdom, all wliofe paths are peace; 
But flav*ry! — virtue dreads it as her grave: 
Patience itfelf is meannefs in a ilave. 
Or, if the will and fovVeignty of God 
Bid fuffer It awhile, and kifa the rod. 
Wait for the dawning of a brighter day. 
And fnap the chain the moment when you may« 
"Nature imprints upon wha.te*er we fee, 
That has a heart and life in it — Be free I 
The beads are chartered — neither age nor force 
Can •quell the love of freedom in a horfe : 
He breaks the cord that held him at the rack > 
And, confcious of an uninciamber*d back. 
Snuffs up the morning air, forgets the rein, 
Loofe fly his forelock and his ample mane; 



CHARITY. 



I6d 



Hefponiive to the diflant neigh he neighs; 

Nor ftops, till, overleaping all delays. 

He finds the paliure where his fellows graze. 

Canfl thouy and honour' d with a ChrifHan naihe, 
Buy what is woman -born, and feel no ihame ? 
Trade in. the blood of innocence, and plead 
Eipedience as a warradt for the deed ? 
So may the wolf, whom famine has made bold 
To qmt the foreft and invade the^fold : 
So may the ruffian, who with gfaoftly glide. 
Dagger in hand, fleals clofe to your bedfide ; 
Not he, but his emergence forc*d the door. 
He found it inconvenient to be poor. 
Has God then giv*n its fweetnefs to the can&— 
Unlefs his laws be trampled on — ^in vain ? 
Built a brave world, which cannot yet fabM, 
Unlefs his right to rule it be difmifs*d ? 
Impudent blafpfaemy I-— So folly pleads. 
And, 9lr*rice being judge, with eafe fucceeds. 

But grabt the plea — ^and Jet it Hand for juft. 
That man make man his prey becaufe he mufii 
Still there is room for pity to abate. 
And foothe , the forrowf of fo fad a fiate. 

M2 



L 



164 CHARITY. 

A BritoD knows— or, if he knows it not. 

The Scripture plac'd within his reach, he ought— 

That fouls have no difcriminating hue, 

Alike important in their Maker's viewj 

That none are free from blemifti fince the fall -, 

And love divine has paid one price for all. 

The wretch that works and wec;ps without relief 

Has one that notices his filcnt grief. 

He, from whofe hands alone all powV proceeds. 

Ranks its abufe^mongthe foaleil deeds, 

Confidc^s ali injufticc with a frown 5 

But warh the man that treads his fellow down. 

Begone !— the whip and bell in that hard hand 

Are-hateful enfigns of ufurp'd command. 

Not Mexico could purchafe kings a claim 

To fcoufge him, wearinefs his only blame. 

Remember, beav'n has an avenging rod — 

To fmite the poor is treafon againft God ! 

Trxiuble is grudgingly and bardly brook'd. 
While life's fubiinoeft ^oys are overlooked : 
We wander o'er a fun burnt tbirfty foil, 
MurmVing and weary of our daily toil. 
Forget t' enjoy the palm-tree's oflfcr'd ihadc. 
Or Ufte the fountain in the neighb'ring glade: 



C H ▲ K I T Y. 165 

Elfe who would lofe,.that had the pow*r t* improve, 
Th* occafioD of tranfmuting fear to love ? 
Oh, 'tis a godlike privilege to fave? 
And he that fcorns it is himfelf a ilave. 
Inform his mind— one flafli of heav'nly dajr 
Would heal his heart and melt his cbains^ away. 
*' Beauty for aihes*'.is a gift indeed h 
And ilaves, by truth enlarg'd^ are doubly freed. 
Then would he fay, fubmiifive at thy feet. 
While gratitude and love made fervice fweet^ 
My dear deliv'rer out of hopele& night>. 
Whofe bounty bought rae but feagive me-light^ 
I was a bondman on my native plain ; 
Sin forg'd, and ignorance made fail, the chain ;. 
Thy lips have fhed inftrndion as the dew. 
Taught ne what path tafhun and what purfuev 
Farewell, my former joys- 1^ I figh no more 
V<x Africa's once lov*d, bemghledfhore^. 
Serving a benefador, I am free-* 
At my bed home, if not exiFd from thee.. 

Somemen make g^in a fountain, whence proceeds 
A dream of lib*ral and heroic deeds*. 
Thefwdl of pity, not to.be confined 
Within the fcanty limits o£the mind^ 



166 t H A R I T T. 

Difdaias the bank, and throws the golden fands^ 
A rich dcpofit, on the bord'ring lands : 
Thefe have an ear for his paternal call. 
Who makiea'fome rich for the fupply of all; 
Grod*s gift with pleafure in his praife employ, 
And Thornton is familiar with the joy. 

Oh, could I worfhip aught beneath the ikies 
That earth hath feen, or fency can devife. 
Thine altar, facred liberty, fhould iland. 
Built, by no mercenary vulgar hand. 
With fragrant turf, and flowVs as wild and fair 
As ever drefs'd a bank, or fcented fummer air I 
Duly, as ever on the mountain's height 
The peep of morning ihed a dawning light. 
Again, when ev'ning in her fober veft 
Drew the gray curtain of the fading weft, 
My foul (hould yield thee willing thanks and praife 
For the chief blefliogs of my faireft days: 
But that were facrilege — praife is not thine. 
But his who gave thee, and preferves thee ^fline : 
Eife I would fay, and as I fpake bid fly 
A captive bird into the bouodlefs fky. 
This triple realm adores thee — thou art come 
From Sparta hither, and art here at home. 



C H A B I T Y. Itj 

We feel thy force fiill adive, at this hour 
Enjoy immunity from priefily pow*r, 
While conrcieDce> happier than in ancient years,, 
Owns no fuperier but the God ibe fears^ 
Propitioiu fpirit ! yet expunge a wrong 
Thy rights have fuffer'dy asd our land, too long;. 
Teach mercy to ten thoufand hearts, that (hare 
The fears and hopes of a commercial care. 
Prifoos expe^ the wicked, and were built 
Tq biad the Uwlefs, and to punifh guilt ;, 
But ihipwrecfc,. earthquake, battle, fire, and floodi 
Are mighty miichiefs, not to be withflood ; 
And honeii merit fiands on flipp*fy ground. 
Where covert guile and artifice abound. 
Let juft redraint, for public peace deiign'd. 
Chain up the wolves and tigers of mankind 3. 
The foe of virtue has no claim to thee-^ 
But let infolvent innocence go free. 

Patron of elfe the mod defpis^d of men^ 
Accept the tribute of a ilranger*s pen -, 
Verfe, like the laurel, its immortal meed,. 
Should be the guerdon of a noble deed; 
I may alarm thee,. but I fear the ihame 
(Charity chofen as my theme and aim) 
!• mull incur, forgetting Howard's name; 



l68 CHARITY* 

Blefl with all wealth can give thee, to iiefiga 
Joys doubly fweck to feelxiigs quick as thine^. 
To quit the blifs thy rural fceoes beflow 
To feek a nobler amidft fcenes of woe. 
To traverfe iibas^ raoge kingdoms, and briag homev 
Not the proud monuments of Grreecc or Rome^ 
But knowledge fuch as only dungeons teach, 
And only fy nipatky like thine could reach y. 
That grief, fequedcr'd from the pubHc ftago. 
Might fmooth her feathers,, and enjoy her cage^ 
Speaks a divine ambition, and a zeal. 
The boldefl patriot might be proud to feel* 
Oh tha^ the voice of clamour and debate. 
That pleads for peace till it di(birbs the ilate. 
Were huOi'd in favour of thy gen'rous^ plea— 
The poor thy clients, arid heav*n*s fmile thy fee f 

Philofophy, that does not dream or ^ray. 
Walks arm in arm with nature all his way;. 
CompaiTes earth, dives into it, afcends 
Whatever deep inquiry recommends. 
Sees planetary wonders fmoothly roll 
Round other fyflems under heir control^ 
Drinks wifdom at the milky fiream of light 
That cheers the Hient journey of the nighty 



e fl A K I T T* 1^ 

And biings^ at bis return, a bofom cbarg'd 
Witb ricb infiru&ion, and a foul enlarg*d. 
Tbe treafur'd fweets of tbe capadous plan 
Tbat beav*n fpreada wide before tbe view of man^ 
All prompt bis pleas*d purfuit> and to purfue 
Still pcompt bini> witb a pleafure alwajs new ^ 
He, too> bas a conneding powV, and dvawa 
Man to tbe centre of tbe €omnx>n caufe; 
Aiding a dubious and deficient figbt 
Witb a new medium, and a purer ligbt* 
All truth is precious, if not all divine > 
And what dilates tbe powVs mufl needs refine» 
He reads tbe ikies, and> watching ev*iy change. 
Provides the faculties an ampler range; 
And wins mankind, as bis attempts prevail, 
A prouder fiation on tbe gen'ral fcale. 
But reafon fiill, unle& divinely taught, 
Wbate*er ibe learns, learns nothing as ibe ought; 
The lamp of revelation only ihows^- 
What human wifdom cannot but oppofe— 
That man, in nature's richefl mantle clad. 
And grac*d with all pbilofopby can add. 
Though fair without, and luminous within. 
Is fiill tbe progeny and heir of fin. 



170 CBAKITT. 

ThuB taught^ downs falls the phimage of hispride^ 
He feels his need of an unemog gaidc^ 
And knows that, falling, he fhall rife no more^ 
Ualefs the pow'r that bade him ftaqd refiote. 
This is indeed philofophy ; thu, known. 
Makes wifdoro, worthy of the name, hi$ owni 
Aad, without this«-whate?er he difeula; 
Whether the fpace between the ftars and ua. 
Whether he meafure earth, compctte the fea. 
Weigh fun-beanis, carve a fly, or fpit a flea— 
The foleron trifler, with his boafled (kill, 
TcmIs much, and is a iblemo trifler Hill : 
Blind was he born, and, his mifguided eyes 
Grown dim io trifling flodies, blind he dies. 
Self-knowledge, truly learn-^d, of courfe implies 
The rich poflefiion of a nobler prize; 
For felf to ielf, and God to man, revealed, 
(Two themes to nature^s eye for ever fealM) 
Are taught by rays that fly with equal pace 
From the fame centre of enlight*ning grace. 
Here flay thy foot; — how copious and how clear 
Th* o*erflowing well of Charity fprings here! 
Hark ! 'tis the muflc of a thoufand rills I 
Some thro* the groves, fome down the flpping bills, 



CHAKITT. 171 

Winding a fecret or an open courfc. 
And all fnpplied from an eternal fource. 
Tlie ties of natnie do bat feebly bind. 
And commerce partially reclaims, mankind; 
Philofophy, without bis heav'nly guide. 
May blow up felf-conceit, and nouriih pride ; 
But, while his province is the reasoning part. 
Has ftill a veil of midnight on bis heart: 
lis truth divine, exhibited on earth, 
Gives Charity her being and her birth. 

Suppofe(when thought is warm,and fancy flows, 
What will not argument fometimes fuppole ?) 
An file poflefs'd by creatures of our kind, 
Endu'd with reafon, yet by nature blind. 
Let fuppofition lend her aid once more. 
And land fome grave optician on the (bore : 
He claps his lens, if haply they may fee, 
Clofe to the part where vifion ought to be ; 
But finds that, though his tubes afEft the fight. 
They cannot give it, or make darknefs light. 
He reads wife lednres, and defcribes aloud 
A fcnfcthey know not, to the wand'ring crowd ; 
He talks of light and the prifmatic hues. 
As men of depth in erudition ufe ^ 



17^ CHARITY. 

But all he gains for his harangue is— -Welly 
What monftrous lies fome travellers will tell I 
The foul^ whofe light all-quickening grace 
renews. 
Takes the refemblance of the good ihe views^ 
As drmonds, Uript of their opaque difguife, 
Refle6t the noon-day glory of the ikies. 
She fpeaks of him^ her author^ guardian, friend> 
Whofe love knew no beginning, knows no end> 
In language warm as all that love infpircs ^ 
And, in the glow of her intenfe defires>. 
Pants to communicate her noble fires. 
She fees a world Aark blind to what emplays 
Her eager thought, and feeds her flowing joys > 
Though wifdom hail them, heedlefs of her call> 
Flies to fave fome, and feels a pang for all; 
Herfdf as weak as her fupportis.flrong. 
She feels that frailty /he denied fo long ; 
And, from a knowledge of her own difeafe^. 
Learns to compaflionate the fick ihe fees. 
Here fee, acquitted of all vain pretence. 
The reign of genuine Charity commence. 
Though fcorn repay her fympathetic tears^ 
She flill is kind, and ftill (he perieveres ^ 



The truth ihe loves a fightlefs world blafphcme— 
Tis childifh dotage, a delirious dream ! 
The danger they difcern not they deny j 
Laugh at their only remedy, and die. 
But Hill a foul thus touched can never ceafe. 
Whoever threatens vsrar, to fpeak of peace : 
Pure in her aim, and in her temper mild. 
Her -wifdom feems the weaknefs of a child, 
^e makes excufes where ihe might condemn ; 
Reviled by thofe that hate her, prays for them ; 
Sufpicion lurks not in her artlefs bread } 
The word fuggelled, ihe believes the beft j 
Not foon provoked, however fhing and teas*d ; 
And, if perhaps made angiy, foon appeas'd, 
She rather waves than will difpute her right -, 
And, injur*d, makes forgivenefs her delight. 

Such was the portrait an apodle drew^ 
The bright original was one he knew; 
Heav'n held his hand — ^the likenefs mod be true. 

W henione, that holds communion with the flues. 
Has £lled his urn where thefe pore waters rife. 
And once more mingles with us meaner thingf , 
^Tis ev*n as if an angel fhook his wings 3 



17* CHARITY. 

Immortdl fr&gfance fills the circuit wide» 
That tells us whence his treafures are fappUed. 
So, when a (hip, well freighted with the &o^9 
The fun matures en Indians fpicjr ihoies. 
Has dropt her anchor arid her canvafs furFd 
In fome fafe haven of our weftcra world, 
Twere vain inquirj to what |>ort fhe went; 
The gale informs us, laden with the foent« 
Some feek, when (jueaf/ confcience has its 
qualms. 
To lull the painful malady with arntis; 
But charity, not feign*d, intends alone 
Another 8 gdod-^their's centres in thor own $ 
And, too &ort liv*d to reach the realms of peace, 
Muft ceafis for ever wheti the poor ihall ceafe. 
Flavia, naoft tender of her own good nitiac. 
Is rather carelefs df her Mer*s fame: 
Her fuperfluity the poor fi^Hes, 
But^ if ihe touch a charat^er> it dies. 
The feeniing virtue weighed againft the vioe. 
She deems all fafe> for fhe has paid the price ; 
No charity but alms adght values ibe. 
Except in porcelain on het itraittle-tree. 



How many deeds, with which the world has rang» 
From pride, in league with ignoraoce, have i^niDg I 
Bat God o emiles all human follies ftill, 
Aod bends the tongh materials to his will. 
A confiagradou, or a wintry flood. 
Has left fome hundreds without home or food; 
Extravagance and av'rice iliail fufofcribe, 
While fame and fdf-complaoence are the bribe. 
The brief proclaimed, itvifits cv'ry pew. 
But flrft the fquire s — a compliment but due : 
With ilow deliberation he unties 
-His glittering purfe-^that envy of all eyes ! 
And, while the derk jud puzzles out the pfalm, 
Slides guinea behind guinea 'in bis palm; 
Till, finding (what he might have found before) 
A fmaller piece amidft the predous fiore, 
Tinch*d clofe between his finger and his thumb. 
He half exhibits, and then drops the fum. 
€k>ld, to be fure 1 — ^Throughout the town 'tis told 
How the good fquire gives never lefs than gold« 
From motives fuch as his, though not the befl. 
Springs in due time fupply for the diflrefs^d; 
Not lefs efiedual than what love beftows — 
Except that office clips it as it goes. 



1^6 CHAR ITT. 

Sat, left I feem to fin agaihft a friend, 
Aad wound the grace I mean to recommend, 
(Though vice derided with a juft defign 
Implies no trefspafs ag^dnft love divine) 
Once more I would adopt the graver ftyle — 
A teacher fliould be fparing of his fmile. 

Unleffl a love of virtue light the flame. 
Satire is, more than thofe he brands, to blame; 
He hides bcSund a magiflerial air 
His own offences, and ftrips others bare; 
AffeGts, indeed, a mod humane concern. 
That men, if gently tutor*d, will not learn -, 
That mulifli folly, not to be reclaimed 
By fofler methods, muft be made aiham'd ; 
But (I might inftance in St. Patrick's dean) 
Too oAen rails to gratify his fpleen. 
Moft fat*iifts are indeed a public fcourge ; 
Their mUdeft ^j&c is a farrier's paip:; 
Their acrid temper turns, as foon as flirr*d. 
The mRk of their good purpofe all to curd. 
Their zeal begotten, as their works rehearte. 
By lean defpair upon an empty purfe. 
The wild aflaffins ftart into the ftreet, 

to poignai d whomfoe'er they medU 



» 

No fkifl in fwordmanfhip, however juft. 
Can be fecure agalaft a roadman's thrud; 
-And even virtoc, fo unfairly match'd, 
Although immortal, may be prick'd or fcratch'd. 
When fcandal has new minted an old lie. 
Or tax'd invention for a frefli fupply, 
Tis called a fatire, and the world appears 
Gath'ring around it with eredted ears : 
A thoufand names are tofs'd into the crowd ; 
Some whifper'd foftly, and fome twang'd aloud ; 
Juft as the fapience of an author's brain 
Stiggefb it fafe or dangVous to be plain. 
Strange ! how the frequent interjeded da(h 
Quickens a market, and helps off the traih; 
Th* important letters; that include the reft. 
Serve as a key to thofe that arfe fupprefs'd; . 
Conjcdure gripes the victims in his paw. 
The world is charm'd, and Scrib. efcapes the law. 
So, when the cold damp ftiades of night prevail. 
Worms may be caught by either head or tail ) 
Forcibly drawn from many a clofe recefs, 
They meet with little pity, no redrefs ; 
Plung*d in the ftream, they lodge upon the mud. 
Food for the fami(h*d rovers of the flood. 

VOL. 1. N 



J7^ %a^iiiTx- 

All zei4 for 4 npfp^an, tbf^t giv^ oflTt^iiQ^ 
To peace aod charity, is m^p^e {uretepce : 
A bold remark; l^ut which, if weU applJM, 
Woatd bomblc tmny a towVipg poet > prid?* 
Perhaps the ooaQ waa io a tpo^t^ (i^* 
And had no othi^r ptaj-pboe f<ff im vit ^ 
Perhaps, enchanted with the lave of Caipe^ 
He fought the jewel in his ne]|(hbour*a fliaipo) 
Perhaps — whatever epd be might; porfnc^ 
The canfe of virtue coidd not he his view. 
At evVj ftroke with flgihcaip our ey^i 
The turns qre ({nick, thp puUfli*d poiqts fiirprife^ 
But (t^in^ with crqcl and trecDendoq^ c^barms. 
That, whUp they pleafei pofiel^ i?s with alafq^ss 
So have I fcea> (and haften^d to the ^bt 
On all the wii^gs of bpUd^y delight) 
Where flaods th#t monument of aoqteat pow^r, 
Kam*d with en^ph^tiG dignity— .the tow*r» 
Guns, halborts, fivoids* ftpd.pi&)lRj great andfflp4t» 
In ftarry forms difpos^d V^ppn the M^allt 
We wonder, as we gazing ftand belaw^ 
That brafs and ft^el (b^uld mak^ fo fine a ihow;. 
But, thpugh wc praifp tb' exad defigner's fliill, 
Account M^c^m itnplppaeats. of caUchiief ftilt 



J 



No^HMrks §M find fteitet>(Mce, in that day 
'Wketk M^iSgmfts ihM be rent away, 
That fquare not truly With tht fcriptttre plah. 
Nor <j^ritig from love to God» er love to mad. 
As he ordains things, fc^id tn their birth. 
To be r«ib}v*d intb their parent eai<th; 
And, thoagh the ifoal (hall ftek fnperior otbs, 
Wbtfte'er this world prod»ces> it abforbs ; 
86 iblf Harts nothing but tHiat tendti apace 
Home to the goal wher^ it began the nio6. 
Sach as oar motive is onr aim muft be) 
If this be f^rvile, that can ne'er be fnse t 
If felf employ us, whatfiae'er is wrought. 
We gl6rify that iJsAf, not him we ought. 
Such Virtues had need prove their own reward, 
The judge of aU men owes them no regard. 
T^ue Charity, a plant divinely nurs'd. 
Fed by the love from whidi it role at firft. 
Thrive againft hope; .and, in the rudeft fcene, 
Storms but enliven its unfadikig green ; 
Eiub*rstnt i« the Shadow it fupplies ; 
Its fruit on earth, its growth above the ikied. 
To look at him, who form'd us and redeemM ; 
So glorious now, though once fo difefieem'd ; 

N2 



4^ (y»k^ 1 m 

To iee a God ficeich fortb bk hOflP^D h«iJ, ' 
T opbold the bo«od]eis Iceacs of bis commaadi 
To tecolled tba^ io a fpnn like oor*«. 
He bruis'd Jbeneatii bts feet tb* inferDal pov*rs» 
Captivity led captive, rofetq dsom 
Tbe wreath be woo fo dearly in onr oame; 
That, tbron*d above all beigbt, be oondefocnda 
To call tbe few tbat truH io bitn bis friendf ; 
That, in tbe heav*n of beav'ns, tbat fpaoe be deein» 
Too fcaoty for th' exertion of bb beamf. 
And (bines, as if impatient to beftow 
Life and a kingdom upon worms below ; 
That fight imparts a never-^dying .flame. 
Though feeble in degree, in kind tbe fanpte. 
Like bim, tbe foul, thus kindled from above. 
Spreads wide ber .arms of nniverfal love ^ 
Andy flill enlarged asibe receives the grace> 
Indadesxneation in her clofe embrace. 
Behold a Cbtiftian I — and, without tbe Area 
Tbe founder of tbat name al^me infpires, 
Thongb all accompliihment, all knowledge tsfcc^ 
To inake tbe ihining prodigy complete. 
Whoever boafts that.nam»-*bebold a cheat I 



Were loie; in thcfe the worfd's laft doting year^, 

.... , 

As fiequent as the want of it appears, 

- » 

The churclies warm'd, they would no longer hold 
Such- fiwz^n figures, ftrff as they arc cold) . 
Belenting forms wonM lofe their powV, or ceafe jf 
And cv'n the dipt and fprinkled live tn peace : » 
Each heart would quit its prifon in the breaft>' ' 
And fl«?w lik' free comnmnion tHth the reft. * 
The ftatefman, ikilVd in p^ojeds dark anc( deep*/* 
Might burn his ufelefs Machiavel, and fleepj 
His budget, often filVd, yet always poor,^ 
Might fwing at eafe behind his ftudy door,. . 
No longer prey upon our annual rents. 
Or fcare the nation with its big contents r. 
Diibanded legions freely might depart,.. 
And flaying man would ceafe to be an^art;. 
No learned difputants would take the fields . 
Sure not to conquer, and fnre not to yield ; . 
Both fides deceiv*d, if rightly underftood,- 
Pelting each other for the public good. . 
Did charity prevail^ the pre(s would prove 
A vehicle of virtue, trutlv and. love ; 
And I might fpare mylelf the pains to ffaow 
What few can learn, and all fuppofe they know* 



Thus have I fought to. grace a ierious laj 

With many a wiU^ iodeed, but flowVy, ifnaj^. 

In hopes to gaia« what elfe I mull h^ve \o6tp, 

Th* attention pleajfure has fo n^uch engro&*^., 

But if; unhappily deceived* I dreaooi. 

And prove too weak for Co divine a tbeoie» 

Let Chai;tty forgive me a miila^e 

That zeal* not vanity^ haa chanced to nafil^^' 

And fpare the poet fpi; hh fc|bje A*8 fiiM* 



CONVERSATION. 



J9'am ncji me tantum veruentis JihlJus auftrif 
Nee fercuj^ juvant JkUiu tarn litora, nee ^um 
Sojeofas htter decummt Jbtnuna vattes, 

ViRo. £cl. 5. 



Trough iMtati^ iji^dgh but taXetiU, and difpenfd 
To ev'iy oHid Ms niddiciim of fetife. 
And CooTerfatloDy in its better psttt. 
May be efleem'd a gift tfdd not an fli% 
Tet mUdl' d^iidtf, a^ in the tSUer'd tdT, 
Otf cfilltilM> And iSbt fiHriog of the lbil» 
Wordtf IttHn'd by ro«e a^ paitot may rehearfe; 
B!Slt't#1kbg b net always to coriverfe; 
Not more diftind from harmony divind^ 
The oonfiant creaking of a country figm . 



184 coNyBRSATiotr. 

As alphabets in ivory employ, 

Hoar after hour, the yet unlettered boy. 

Sorting and puzzling with a deal of glee 

Thofe feeds of icience call'd bis a b Cf - 

So language in the mouths of the adult, 

Witncfs its iniigniEcant lefnlt. 

Too oAen proves an implement of play, 

A toy to fport with and pafs time away* 

Colled.at evening what .the day brought forth, 

Comprefs the fum into its folid worth. 

And, if it weigh th* importance of a fly,. 

The fcales are falfe, or Algebra a lie. 

Sacred interpreter of human thought, , 

How few refped or ufe thee as they ought ! 

But all fliall give account of ev'ry wrong> 

Who dare diihonour or de&le the tongfjei. 

Who proflitute it in the caufe of vice. 

Or fell their glory at a market-price;. 

Who vote for hire, or point it with .lampQpo-^ ; ,\ 

The dear-bought placeman, and the cheap bufioonv . 
There is apiurience. in the fpeech pf lome^ .;,v 

Wrath Oays hisa, or elfe God wqiild ilrike tkwk i 
dumb: . . .* 



.> >.' 



C O V y S R'S A TI o w.^ 185 

His wile forbearance has their end in Tiew^ 

They fill their meafure, and receive their due. 

The heathen l^w-gtvers of ancient days. 

Names almofi worthy of a Chri^n*s prsife. 

Would driv^ thera forth horn the refort of men^ 

And ihnt up evVy fatyr in his deo. 

Ob, come not ye near innocedceaod. tratb. 

Ye worms that eat into the bad of ybqthl 

Infedioos as impure, your hltghting p6w*r '. 

Taints inits rudiments the promu'd flow'r$ 

Its odoiu* periftM and its charming hud, 

Thenc^£»rth *tis'hateful, for it fmells of jrob. 

Not ev'n th^ vigorous and headlong rage. 

Of adolefcenc^ or a firmer age. 

Affords a plea. allowable or joft 

For making fp^ch the pamperer of luft; 

But^ when the breath of age commits the fault, ' 

'Tis naufeous as the vapour of a vault. /\ 

So witherU Aumps difgrace the fylvan foene. 

No longer fruitful, and Qo longer green i 

The iaplefs wood, dive^ed of the. bark, ! 

Grows^ fungous, and taj^es fire at f}v*jry fperk* • 

Oaths terminate, as Paul pbferr^ aliHrife^-* ". 
Some men bive.furely ti^^ np^sfcelul Isfi: 1 ... 



£80 c0VTMK^kvt6m^ 

Whatever ftibje£^ occupy difcmiHb^ 
The feat» of Vefiris^ of the natf si force^ 
AflereratioO) blaft'ving^ in your faee. 
Makes OMilradidiion focb an hopekfiesii^: 
Ia«r'iy taie tbej teld^ ov ^Ife or trtie, 
WdlkDowo; or fmb as oo ttian ever tttlo^. 
They fiat aftteiltioii, beedtefs ef )iiowr paki> 
With oatl», Uke rire^B, Ibro^d^ idlcy Ikci bus^ti'; 
And ev*B wliea fbber tnnb pr«vaib ti»fOugboa% 
Tbey fweaii it» ttU aA«rriMee byeed» a dbttbr. 
A Perfian, buml^ ierraAt 6f tbe iuii> 
Who, thougfa dbroot^ ye« faigioft^ bad uoiM, 
Hearing atfanrjrer, ^twt m bis adit^ 
Witb adjoratioDs e/rf trord ioipi^ 
Sappos*d tbe man a bMfop, or at kaf^ 
God's name ian muebi npoct' bfa lipsi af priefff ; 
Bow^a at ebtt disfe wkb all kis graced airs'. 
And begg'd ani Wi€tt§[ in bis ftt^ent pray'n. 

Go, qak tbe ranif to wbtob ye i^sod pfreifittt'^ 
Henceforth afifodtfte in one eoBaroon berd> 
Religion, Tirtiie, refl(bn^ common fenfe, 
PronoQtteeyocr bmnau' form a ^le pfetencc; 
A laem MpsAA; in wbieb' sr den! Intte, 
Wbo yet betNiyrbiilifitet^bjLbif wotktr 



And make ^Uoquial bai^iottft jfonjur cs|fe» 
Freferre me fr^iaA Ih^ tbiog I dfe^ mi hfktfi-^ 
A dtiel{ is tbe form of ft debate^ 
The claih of argofventft and. jac of wovds, 
Worfe thpo |h« «»»rtal bruat of rival CwcuA^i. 
Decide^ bo; ^lefiUm ^b thfk ttiiUott& k«0lbr 
(For.oppofitifiii gj[v»ft o|9liii0B ftnsogttb) 
Divert the dbampii^itHf^^^ftl o€ bit^^. 
And pat the patMaUy-^difpoM to: deaths 
Ob, tbW^ n»0 not, fir Sopbt^at ^v^'i^ tiuvH 
](}or carp at ei'fy flavbr jiMjmX ^''■^^'^W^il^ 
ThoDgb ^logitea hmg not aiv mir' tuogMC^ 
I am not fiirety alauiya in^ the wnwg I 
TIs haidrif all* ia &]£i tbali I adfaaoe-^- 
A fool moft- miw^ aoA then be rigjht>.bi^.cha«6a, ' 
Not that aft fwedain of diSbott I hiaaaejj 
No^-there I giwit the privite^e^ I dauii. 
A difpatable pomtk no, mui'ti gnonod y 
Rove where joiai plaa% *pa ceiBmoaall. aroondi. 
Difooarfe maj^ want «ni animated-^No, 
To brufli the fuffaeerand to make it flowj 
Bat flill remembevyif jma nana, to pteafei 
To prefti jpoae pfiiAt- with modttfiy) {^id- eafd 



18d 4i0iiytkK%kfioifl 

The tberl^' at which mj jufier aim I take, 

Is contradidioD for its ovn dear fake. 

Setyour opinion at whatever pitch. 

Knots and impediments make fomething hitcfa. 

Adopt his own, 'tis eqtiaUj in vatn» 

Your thread of argument is fnapt again ^ 

The.wcaagler, rather thdb accord with' ymi^ 

Will jadge himfelf deceiv*dj and piove it too^ 

Vociferatod logic kills me :qiiite } 

A noify man is alwajsin the right-^— 

I twirl my thombs, fM back into* my diair, 

^x on the Wi^nlcot a diftiipAiftd ftare. 

And, wk^ I' hope his Muoders are all ontv 

Reply difcreietfy-^To be ft2re-*Bo doubt I 

DuBius-if^foch a fcropuloiis good msn*^ 
Tes4-^oa oiay catch him tripping if yoa canw 
He would not» with a peremptory tone, 
Aflert the nofe upon his f$f:e has own ; 
With hefitatioo admirably flow, 
He'humbly hopes— *pcefuau»-*it. may be fo», 
His evidenqe, if he were calVd by kw 
To fwear to ifbme enarmity he faw. 
For want of prominence and juft relief. 
Would haog anhpneft mao^imd £17041 thief. . 



Tbroqgfaebnlibiiit dread of giving^ tndy dfoiccv > 
He ties Dp;«U his iieareri infufpenfe ^ ^* ' . . ' 
Xnows what be ktocms as if he knew it'uat, • 
What he remembers ieen» to have Scirgot; 
His fole opintoB, whatfoe^er fae&l], : ' . • i 

Ceot'nng at IM in fatvaag noa^.at all. 
Yet, thoogb be teafeaodbanlk your tift'nittg esTy 
He maktt ode ufefoi. point, exoeedtog clearj 
Howe*er ingeniooroa hia dacHng tbeoie  t- 
A fedpik iQ«pbilofo|>hy may feeni, .- . .'. 

BedttCfd to pra£Uce^ hlftfieloved.nilB' 
Would only prove Jum a confumniate-fool ? 
Ufelefs in )tim akke both brain and fpeedi. 
Fate hayiog' placed' all trutb above his reacby 
His aipbignities bia total tiiinv 
He might as well be.blitfd^ and deaf> aiid damb. 
Where menofjudgmeoteiae^aodfeel their wayy 
The pofitive prononhcei witboiit difinay ; . 
Their want of light and inteUed ftipfdied 
By fpackr abfordity ftriiies' out of pridfc : ' 
Without thexneaoa of -knowing ri^ht from wrdng, 
They always ^anre dedfivey dear, and Arong» 
Where olbers toil with philofophic larce, . . 
Their iitmfa|oiaonftnfe takes a ibortsr cduffe> .:. 



Fliagi ftt ytmt iiMd €onvtAioii iti tte hmp^ 
And gaioi reauHe oondnfiow at a j ui^^ t 
Their ovn dtfed, tovifiUe to tbttaf 
Seen inuioiliert they at cmite wutoafl 5 
Andy tboo^h felf*idQliz*d ia air'iy cafe. 
Hate their own likaneft ki a tyrotkn^n face< 
Tihe oadfe k plaio» and not to be denied, 
The piood are alwa3Hi xtntt profdc'd hf fvtde. 
Few competitioni bar engender lpite$ 
And thofe the moft, where neither kpii a rigjbt 
The point of faonoar has bten deem*d of nfe^ 
To teach good mamierB, and to cnrb abufe. 
Admit it true, the oooftqueiice ii €kar» 
Oar poKih'd maaoon ate a nudk we weai^ 
And at the bottom barb^root Dill and rude; 
Wa are rdkrain'd, iodeedy bat not ikbdoed. 
The very remedy^ howerer fumy 
Springs froai the mi&hief it intends to ouKc^ 
And favage in its pciadple appears^ 
Tried, as it ihooid be, by thefrait it bean. 
'Tit haixW indeed, if nothing will defend 
Mankind from fuainds bot their fatal end | 
That BOW and then an hero ntift dtoeafe^ 
That the Amnaing woild doajrliTU in paaoa. 



Perhaps at laft dofe fmHinj pny Sk^w 

The pradice daftardljr, and h^b> a^d l9«r| 

That men ^ogagp io it ainip(U*4 bj f<vee ) 

And fear, not GQiura|te» it its proper foMM* 

The fear of tyrant cufiom, sod the fear 

Left fops ihould oeniiue ug» aad fools fliMdd fmm» 

At leaft to traipple oa oor Maker's lavi^ 

And hxwud Ufe for any or no caofi^ 

To ru(h into a Ant ctemal ftate 

Oat of tbo rery dames of rage aod bale^ 

Or fend another tbiv'kjiQg to tlH» bar 

With alltbe gotlt of fvicb cmoat'iial war. 

Whatever u(e may ovget or honour plea<lj ' 

On reafon*s verdi^ is a madaMD*a deed. 

Am I to fet my life upon a Ibroinr, 

Becanfe a bear is rode asd fiiriy } Nd^— ' 

A moraly fmifibley and wdt^bteid aian 

Will not afiroot moy and no other can* ' 

Were I empow*r*d to rq^iitale the lUb> 

They ihouM encounter with well-loaded fi&s ; 

A Trojan combat woold be Ametbing hew. 

Iict DAftia beat Bmtb&lvs Utok aad'bltie; 

Then eachmigiht Ibow, to Uaada^rit>g fneofkh 

In honoii«ab)o k(¥i^ hk tJAb/aeMnd% 



And carr)?i «i cohttifions of hisfkuil; 
A fatirftfftory receipt in folL 

A flory; Jn 'ivhich natiTe -Iramonr reigns. 
Is often^tifefu], ^l5^d7« entertains : 
A graver fad, enlifted on yotrt* fide, 
MfTfr famifh illnfti^aidon, vtiAl appHed; 
Bat fedeotary weavers df long tales' ' 
Give me the ^gets, and ttyy patience fails, 
'^s the moft afinitie enaploy on earth. 
To hear tbttnk tell of parentage and b?rth. 
And echo conv<erfations, doll and dry, 
£mbelli(h'd rrMh-^Hefaidy and So/aid L 
At ev'ryi intetview their route the fame. 
The repetition makes attention lame^ 
We buflle up with unfuocefsful Q>eed, 
And in thefaddeift part cry — DroU mdeed /" 
The path of narrative ynkih care pnrfue. 
Still making piiobabiHty yoar <:lue } 
On all the velftiges of truth attend, 
And )tithem guide you to a decent end. 
Of all ambitions man may entertain. 
The worft that can invade a fickly* brain 
Is Aat which angles hourly for furprife. 
And baits itA'iioofe with prodigies and ii< 



CONVBRSATIOir. IpS 

dredulous infancy, or age as weak, 
Ard 'fitted auditors for fuch to fceic, 
Whb to pleafe others will themfeilves difgracej 
Yet pleafe not, bat aiFront you fo your face. 
A great retailer of this curious ware, 
Having unloaded and made many flare, 
•Can Ais be true ? — an arch obfefver cries. 
Yes, (rath<Jr mov-d) I faw it with thefe eyesl 
"Sir! I belieVe it on that ground alone 3 
I could not, had I fecn it with my own. 

A taile ihould be judicious, clear, fuccind^ 
The language plain, and incidents well link'd; 
Tell not as new wliat ev'ry body knows 5 
And, Tiew or old, fiill haften to a clofe 3 
Thefe, cent*ring in a focus round and neat. 
Let all your rays of information meet. 
What ndther yields us profit nor delight 
Is like a nurfe^'s lullaby at night; 
<jruy Eart of Warwick and fair Eleamire, 
Or giant^killing Jack, would pleafe me more. 

Th* pipe, with folemn interpofing pufi*. 
Makes half a fentence at a time enough \ 
The dozing fages drop the drowfy flrain, 
Then paufe, and puff^and fpeak, and paufe again* 

▼«L. I. O 



194 CONVERSAriO-N. 

Such often^ like the tube they fp adcnirei 
Important triflers ! have more fmoke than fire. 
.Ternicious weed! whofe fcent the fair annoys 
Unfriendly to fpciety*s chief joys, 
Thy worft effeS is banifliing for houxv 
The fex whofe prefencc civilizes our's : 
Thou art, indeed, the drug a gardener want% 
To ppifon yertnin that infeft his plants; 
fiat are we fo to wit and beauty blind. 
As to defpife the glory of our kind. 
And ibow the fofteil minds and faireft forms 
As little mercy as he grubs and worms? 
They dare not wait the riotous abufe. 
Thy third-crf^ating (ieams at length pix)dace» 
When wine has giv*n indecent language birth| 
And forc'd th? flood .gates of licentious, niirtbi 
For fea-boj-n Venus her attachment fhows, 
Still to that element from which (he rofe, 
And, with a quiet which no fumes didurfat, 
Sips meek infufions of a milder herb. 

Th' emphatic fpeaker dearly loves t' opppfe, 
Id con tad inconvenient, npfe to npfe. 
As if the gnomon on his neighbours phiZt 
Toudi*d with the magnet, had attracted l^. 



J 



CONTBBSATfOlr. S0S 

His wkifper*d theme, dilated and at lafge> 
Proves after all a wind-gnn's airy charge. 
An extra^ of Ins diaiy-*-*no more, 
A taAeleft journd of the day before. 
He walk'd abroad, overtaken ia the rain 
Caird cRi a friend, drank tea, ftept home again, 
Refum*d bis purpoie, had a world of calk 
With one he flnimbled on, and ML his walk. 
I interrupt bini with a fadden bow. 
Adieu, dear Sir I left you (hould lofe it now, 

I cannot talk with ci^et in tlie room, 
A fine pufs-gentleraan that*s all perfume; 
The fight*B enough— no need to fmell a beau— 
Who thmfts his nofe into a raree-fliow? 
Hb odorifbrous attempts to pteafe. 
Perhaps might profper with a fwarra of bees ; 
But we that make no honey, though we fting, 
Poets, are foraetimes apt to maul the thing. 
'Tis wrong to bring into a mist refort, 
What makes fome fick, and others a-Ia-morf'y 
An argument of cogence, we may fay, 
Why fuch an one ihould keep himfelf away. 

A graver coxcomb we may fpmetimes fee. 
Quite as abfurd^ though not fo light as he: 

O 2 



A fhallow brain behind a ferious niaik. 

An oracle within an empty cafk. 

The folemn fop; ligmficant and badges 

A fool with judges, amongft fools a judge. 

lie fays but little, jmd that little faid 

Owes all its weight, like loaded dice, to lead. 

His wit invites you by his looks to come. 

But when you knock it never is at home: 

*Tis like a parcel fent you by the fiage, 

Some handfome prefent, as your hopes prefage; 

'Tis heavy, bulky, and bids fair to prove 

An abfent friend's fidelity and love. 

But .when unpacked your difappointment groans 

To 6nd it fluffd with brickbats, earth, and dones. 

Some men employ their health, an ugly trick. 
In making known how oft they have been ikk, 
And.gi^e us, in recitals of difeafe, 
A do6tor*s ^trouble, but without the fees 9 
Relate bow many Aveeks they kept their bed. 
How an emetic or cathartic fped ; 
Nothing is (lightly touched, much lefs foi^ot, 
Nofe, ears, and eyt&t feem prefent on the fpot 
Now thediftemper, fpite of draught or pill>- 
Vi6toriottS feem*d, and now the dodor*s ikiU ^ 



And now — aJas for iiriforefeen mi(baps I ' ' 
They put on a damp night-cap and relapfe; 
They thought they mnft have died they were fo 

bad — 
Their peevifh bearers afmofi' wiih they had^ 

Some fretful tempers wince at ev'ry touch. 
You always do too little or too much : 
You fpeak with life, in hopes to entertain. 
Your elevated voice goes through the brain.;. 
You fall at once into a lower key,. 
That's worfe — ^the drone-pipe of an humble bee. 
The fouthern fafli admits too (Irong a light. 
You rife and drop- the curtain — now it's night. 
He (liakes with cold— you ftir the fire and ftrivc 
To make a blaze — that's roafting' him alive. 
Serve him with ven'fon, and he choofes filh; 
With foal — ^that's juft the fort he would not wiflu 
He takes what he at firtl profcfs'd to loath. 
And in due time feeds Iieartily on both 5 
Yet dill, o'erclouded with a conflant frown. 
He does not fwallow, but he gulps it down. 
Your hopeto pleafe him, Vain on ev'ry plan; 
Himfelf fhould work that wonder, if he cstitf — * 



19B CONVBISATIOV. 

Alas I his efforts double his dtftreftt 
He likes youths little^ and his own IliU \eb* 
Thus alwajs teafing others, always teas'd» 
His only pleafare is — to be difpleas*d, 

I pity baflifiil men who feel the peia 
Of fancied fcom and andeferv'd difdai»> 
And bear the marks, upon a blufhtng face,^ 
Of needkfs (hame and felf-inapos'd difgracc;. 
Our fenfibilities are fo acute. 
The fear of being filent makes us mute. 
We fometimes think we could a fpeech produce. 
Much to the purpofe, if our tongues were loofe; 
But, being tried, it dies upon the lip. 
Faint as a chicken's note that has the pip : 
Our \^afted oil unprofitably burns. 
Like hidden lamps m old fepulchral urns. 
Few Frenchmen of this evil have complaiaM ; 
It feems as if we Britons were ordain*d. 
By way of wholeibme curb upon our pride. 
To fear each other, fearing none befide. 
The cauie perhaps inquiry may defcry. 
Self feaTchi))g with an introverted eye, 
CoDceard within an unfufpe^d' part. 
The vaiuefl comer of Qur own vain heart : 



For ever aiffliiig at the world's efteem. 

Oar fclf-importance rains its own fcheme ;. 

In other eyes oar talents rarely (hewn. 

Become at length fo fplendid in oar own. 

We dare not rifqne them into public vie^. 

Left they mtfcarry of what feems their due« 

True modefty is a difcerning grace. 

And only blufhes in the proper place ; 

Bat counterfeit is blind, and Ikulks through fear,. 

Where 'tis a fhame to be afliam'd t' appear : 

Humility the parent of the firft -, 

The laft by vanity produced and nurft. 

The circle form^, we fit in filent date. 

Like figures drawn upon a diil-plate ; 

Yes ma*am, and no ma'am, utter d foftly, ihow^ 

Ev'ry five minutes how the minutes go; 

Each individual fuffefing a conihraint 

Foetry may, bat colours cannot paint j 

And, if in d6fe committee on the iky. 

Reports it hot or cold, of wet or dry 5 

And findtf a changing dime ah happy fource- 

9f wile refle6doh ai^d wdl'-tic^M ^fcourfe. 

We next inquire^ but foftly and by ftealth^. 

like confervatonof the p;abUc healthy . 



200 CONVERSATION.^ 

Of epidemic throats, if fuch there are. 

And coqgbs> and rheums, and phtbific, and catarrhs 

That theme exhaufted, a wide chafm enfues, 

Fill*d up at lad with interefttng news^ 

Who danc'd with whom, and who are like towedj. 

And who is hanged, and who is brought to bedv 

But fear to call a more important caufe. 

As if 'twere treafon againfl Englifli law3. 

The vifit paid, with ectlafy we come> 

As from a feven yt^ars tr^nfportation, home^ 

And there refume an unembarrafs*d brow^. 

Recov 'ring what we loft we know not how, 

The faculties that feem*d reduc'd to nought^ 

Expreflion and the privilege of thought* 

The reeking, roaring hero of the cha(e> 
1 give him over as a defp'rate cafe. 
Phyficians write in hopes to work a cure, 
Never, if honeft ones, when death is fare j 
And though the fox he follows ^lay be cam'd^ 
A mere fox-follower never is reclaim'd. 
Some farrier Ihould prefcribe his proper courfe^ 
Who'e only fit companion is his horfe, 
Or if, deferving of a better doom^ 
The noble bcaft judge otherwife, his groom* , 



Yet ev*n tbe^cogue that ferves bim, tbougbhe ftaD<|f 
To take hb honour's orders^ cap. in hand. 
Prefers his fellow-grooms^ with much, good fenfci, 
Their ikili a truth, his mafler s a pretence. 
If ne'Uher horfe nor groom afied the fquire. 
Where can at lail his jockey (hip. retire? 
Oh ta the club, the fcene of favage jojS) 
The fchool of coarfe good fellowfhip and noife>: 
There, in the fweet fociety of thofe 
Whofe friendibip from his boyiih years be choibi: 
Let him improve bis talent if he can. 
Till none but beafls acknowledge him a man. 
Man*s heart bad beea impenetrably feal'd. 
Like tbeir*ai that cleave. the flood or graze the field, . 
Had not his Maker's all-be0owing hand 
Giv*n him. a foul, and bade him underhand ; 

4 

The reasoning pow'r vouchfafd of courfe inferr'd . 
The pow'r to clothe that reaibn with his word; 
For all is perfe6t that God works on eauh, 
And he that gives conception, aids the birth. 
If this be plain, *tis plainly underliood. 
What ufes of his boon the giver would. 
The mindy. difpatch'd upon her bufy toil, 
Should.raoge where Providence ha» bleft the foil;. 



ltd e6kysB8Atleitf» 

Yifiting cv'rjr flowV \rttb labour rottt. 

And gathering all ber tfeifures fwcct by (weet. 

She fhould embae the totigue with what fhe fips^ 

And ihed the balmy blelling on the lip^> 

That good diffas*d may more abtmdant grow. 

And fpeechmay praife the pow'r that bids it floW^ 

Will the fweet warbler of the live-lotig night. 

That fills the lifl*ning lover with delight. 

Forget his harmony, with rapture heard. 

To learn the twitt'ring of a meaner bird. 

Or make the pan-ot's mimicry his choice. 

That odiods libel on an human voide ? 

No-^iature unfophffticate-by man, 

Starttnot afide fi'om her Creator*s plafnf. 

The melody that was at firft deirgnd 

To cheer the rude forefathers of mankind^ 

Is note for note delivered in our ears. 

In the lail fcene of her fix thoufand years ; 

Yet faihion, leader of a ch^itYihg train. 

Whom man fof his owti hurtp^rmits to rei^n, 

Who fiiifts and changes all things but his fhap^. 

And would degrade her votary to an ape. 

The fruitful parettt of abtiTe arid wrong. 

Holds an tiiurpVl dominion o*er hit tongue j 
6 



There fits iind prompts fatm with his owd Hfffae^, 

Prefcribes the theme, the tone and the grknace^ 

Andy when aocompHfh'd in her wajward £chool^ 

Calls gentleman whom fhe has made a £ool. 

Tis an unalterabie fix'd decree 

That ncoe coald frame or ratify bat ihe» 

That hcar^n and bell, and nsfateoorDe& and fio. 

Snares in his path and foes that lurk withto, 

God and his attribolcis (a field of day 

Where 'tis an angeVs bsppinefs to Amy), 

Fruits of his lore and wonders of his might. 

Be nerer naod'd in ears efieem'd polite. 

That he who dares, when ike forbids^ be grave. 

Shall fiand prc^ribVl, a madman or a knave^ 

A clofe defigtier not to be believ*d, 

Or> if excas*d that charge, at Icail deceiv'd^ . 

Oh fc^ly worthy of the nurfe's Jap, 

Give it the breail, or fiop its mottth with pap 1 

Is it increc^ble, or can it feem 

A dream to any except thoTe thai dreanii. 

That man ihonld lore his Maker, and t&cn fire. 

Warming hia heart, ihoold at hb lips traniptre ? 

Know then, and modellly kf fall your eyes^ 

And reil yoar dating crefi that btavea ils» flu«8 ^ 



( / 



IThat air of iafolenee affronts your God, 
You need his pardon, and provoke bis rod : 
Now, in a pofture that becomes 700 more 
Than. that heroic ftrut aiTum^d before. 
Know, your arrears with ev'ry hour accrue,. 
For mercy ihown, while wrath is juftly due. 
Xhe time is fliort, and there are fouls on earth. 
Though future pain may ferve for prefent mirth,. 
Acquainted ^ith the woes that fear orfhame, 
By fafhion taught, forbade them once to name, 
And, .having felt the pangs you deem a jeil. 
Have proved* Ihem truths too big to be exprefsVl: 
Go^ feek en revelation's hallowed ground, 
Sure<to focceed, the remedy they found $• 
Touched by that pow>> that you have dar*d^o mock. 
That makes feas ftable, and diflblveS' the rock. 
Your heart iliall yield a life-renewing dream. 
That fools, as you have done, fhall call a dream. 

It happened, on a folemn even-tide. 
Soon after He that was oar Surety died. 
Two bofom friends, each<penfively indio'd. 
The fcene of all thofe forrows left behind, , 
Sought their own village, bufied as they went. 
In mufingft worthy of the great event : . 



C-6 N V ^Tl-8 AT I O K. 205 ' 

TThcy (|%ike of him they lov'd, of him wliofe life, 
TThough bhamelefs had incurr'd perpetual ftrifc, 
A^hc^c deeds had left, in fpite of hoftile arts, 
A deep memorial graven on their hearts. 
The recoHe^ion, like a vein of ore, 
"The farther traced, enrich*d them ftill the more ; 
They thought him, and they juftly thought him, one 
Sent to do more than he appear'd t' have done; 
T' exa}t a people, and to place them high 
Above all elfe, and wonderVi he fhould die. 
^re yet they brought their journey to an end, 
A flranger joinM them, courteous as a friend, 
And aik*d them, with a kind engaging air, ' 
What' their affii6tion vas, and begg*d a fliare. 
Inform'd, he gather*d up the broken thread. 
And, truth and wifdom gracing all he faid, 
Explained, illaftrated, and fearch'd fo well, 
The tender theme on which they chofe to dwell, ' 
That reaching home, the night they faid, is near^ - 
We muft-not now be parted, fojoarn here — 
The new acquaintance foon became a gueft. 
And made fo welcome at their (imple feaft. 
He blefs*d the bread, but vanilh'd at the word; 
And left them both exclaiming; Twas the Lord! - 



Did Qot our hearU fed all he deign*d to fiiy. 
Did they not burn witbta tts hf the way ^ 

Nov tbetf 8 was cooverfe facb as it bebovee 
Man to maiotaio, aad fiicb as God approves; 
Tbeir views indeed were iodiftiad and duo. 
But yet faccefsfurl, being |Hni*4 at fatin. 
Cbrift and bis charader tbeir only icope, 
Tbeir object and tbeir fnbjed, and tbeir hope^ 
Tbey felt wbat it became them mucfa to ied. 
And, wanting bim to loofe tbefaered feal, 
Foand bim as prompt as tbeir deiire was true 
To fpread the new-bora glones ia their view. 
Well — ^wbat are ages and the lapfe of time. 
Matched agaiaft truths, as lafting as loUime^ 
-Can length of years on God himicdf exaft. 
Or make that £6tion which was onoe a faA^ 
No— marble and recording braft decay. 
And like the graver's memory pafs away $ 
The works of man inherit, as is juft. 
Their author's frailty, aad return to dufi^ 
But truth divine for ever fiands feGorei . 
f ts head is guarded as its bafe is fure; 
l^ix'd in the rolling fLuod of endleA years, 
^hc jftllar of tV eternal .plan appears. 



TThc raving ftono 3n4 dsfhimg wave defies. 
Built by that arcbited who bailt the fkies^ 
Hearts may be foun4, that harbpur at this hour 
That love of Cbrid and all ks ^cfk*nuig powers 
And lips unftain'd by folly or by ftrifc, 
Whofe wifdoi^, drawn from the deep well of life, 
Taftes of its heMUiful origin^ and £ow8 
A Jordan for tU* ablution of our woes. 
Oh days of heaven, and nights of equal prai£b« 
Serene and peaceful as thofe heav'nly days. 
When fouls drawn upwards, in communion fweet, 
£njry the flillnefs of fome clofe retreat, 
Difcourfe, as if released and fafe at hom^ 
Of dangers pail and wpnders yet to come, 
And fpread the facred treafures of the breaft 
Upon the lap <^ coven^t^ted reft. 

What, always dreaiping over heav*nly things. 
Like angel heads in ^oe with pigeon-wings? 
Canting and whining oqt all day the word, 
And half the night ? fanatic and abfurd! 
Mine be the friend lefs frequent in his pray'rs, 
Who makes no budle with his foul*s affairs, 
Whofe wit can. brighten up a wintry day, 
And chafe the (plenctic duU'hours away $ 



206' CONVERSATION. 

Content on earth in earthly things to fliine. 
Who waits for hcav'n ere he becomes divine. 
Leaves faints t' enjoy thofe altitudes they teach. 
And plucks the fruit plac'd more within his reach. 

Well fpoken, Advocate of fin and ihame. 
Known by thy bleating — Ignorance thy name. 
Is fparkling wit the world's exclufive right. 
The fixt fee-fimple of the vain and light ? 
Can hopes of heav'n, bright pro^e&s of an hour. 
That come to waft us out of forrow*s powV,' 
Obtcure or quench a faculty tliat finds 
Its happieil foil in the fereneH minds ? 
Keligion curbs indeed its wanton play. 
And brings the trifler under rigVous fway. 
But gives it ufefulnefs unknown before. 
And, purifying, makes it Ihine the more. 
A Ohrillian*s wit is inoi^enfive light, 
A beam that aids, but never grieves the fight j 
Vigorous in age as in the flufli of youth, 
Tis always aftive on the fide of truth } 
TempVance and peace infures its healthful fiate, 
And make it brightefi at its latefi: date. 
Oh I have feen (nor hope perhaps in vain, 
Ere life go down, to fee'fuch fights ilgain) 



CONVCRS ATt OK. 20? 

A vetVan warrior in the ChrifMan field, 
"Who never faw the fword he could net wield i 
<7rave without dulaefs, learned \nthoat pride, 
£xad,yet.not precife^ though meek, keen-ey*d; 
A man that would have foil'd, at their own play, 
A dozen would-beig of the modern day-; 
Who, when occafion juftified its ufe, 
Had wit as bright as ready to produce. 
Could fetch from records of an earlier age, * 
Orfirom philofopby's enlighten'd page, 
His rich materials, and regale your ear 
With drains it was a privilege to hear: 
ITet, above all, his luxury fupreme. 
And his chief glory, was the gofpel theme 5 
There he was copious as old Greece or Rome, 
His happy eloquence feem*d there at home. 
Ambitious not to ihine or to excels 
But to treat }uMy what he lov*d fo well. 

It moves me more perhaps than folly ought, 
When fome green heads, as void of wit as thought, 
Suppofe themfehves monopolifls of fenie. 
And wifer men*s ability pretence. 
Though time will wear us, and we muR grow old. 
Such m^en are not forgot as foon as cold, 
•vai.. I. P 



i 



aiO CONYBRSATIOK* 

Their fragtaat rnemVy will cmt-lail thdr tomb, 
£iii))alm'd for ever in its own perfume: 
And^ to fay trut;b, tjiough in its early prime. 
And when unftain*d with any groifer crime^ 
Youth has a fprighjtUn^fs and £re to boofi. 
That in the valley of decline ate loft. 
And virtue with pedqliar charms appears. 
Crowned with the garland of life*s blooming years j 
Yet age^ by long experience wdl inform*d. 
Well read, well tempered, with religion warm*d, 
That fire abated which impels raih youth> 
Proud of his fpeed to overihoot the truth. 
As time improves the grape*s authentic juice, 
Mellows and makes the fpeech more fit for ufe, 
And claims a revVence in its (borfning day^ 
That *tis an honour and a joy to pay. 
The fruits of age, lefs fair, are yet more found. 
Than thofe a brighter feafon pours around; 
And, like the (iores autnowal funs mature. 
Through wintry rigours unimpair d endure. 
What is fanatic frenzy, fcorn'd fo much^ 
And dreaded more than a contagious touch ? 
I grant it dan^Vous, and approve your fear. 
That fire is catching if you draw too near; 



CONVERSATIOlf* 211 

But fage obfervers oft mifbke the flame, 
And give true piety that odious name. 
To tremble (as the creature of an hour 
Ought at the view of aa almighty power) 
Before his prefence, at whofe awful throne. 
All tremble, in all worlds, except your own. 
To fupplicate hislhercy, love his ways. 
And prize ihem above pleafure, wealth, or praife. 
Though commcoi fenfe allow*d a cading voice. 
And, free from bias, mufl approve the choice^ 
Convids a man fanatic in th' extreme. 
And wild as madneis in the world's efteem. 
But that difeafe, when foberly defin*d. 
Is the falfe fire of an overheated mind; 
Ik views the truth with a diftorted eye. 
And either warps or lays it ufelefs by; 
'Tis narrow, fdfiHi, arrogant, and draws 
Igs fordid nourifhment from man*s applaufe; 
And, while at heart fin unrelinquiihM Ilea, 
Prefumes itfelf chief fav*rite of the ikies. 
Tis fuch a light as putrefadion breeds 
In fly-blown flefli whereon the maggot feeds. 
Shines in the dark, but, uflier'd into day, 
The flench remains, the luflxe dies away. 

P2 



!ai!l CON VE-RSATl on. 

True blifs, if man may reach it, is compos*! 
Of hearts in union mutually difclos'd; 
And, farewell elfc all hope of pure delight, 
Thofe hearts (hould be reclaimed, renew'd, upright. 
Bad men^ profaning friend(hip*s hallow*d name. 
Form, in its ftead, a covenant of fhame> 
A dark confed*racy againft the laws 
Of virtue, and religion*s glorious caufe : 
They build each other up with dreadful fkill. 
As bafiions fet point blank againfi God*s will; 
Enlarge and fortify the dread redoubt. 
Deeply refol v'd to fhut- a Saviour out ; 
.Call legions up from hell to back the deed ; 
And, curfl with conqueft, finally fucceed. 
But fouls that carry on a *ble(l exchange 
Of joys they meet with in their heav'nly range, 
And with a fearlefs confidence make known 
The forrows fympathy efteems its own. 
Daily derive increaling light and force 
From fuch-communion in their pleafant conrfe, 
Feel lefs the journey's roughneis and its length, 
Meet their oppofers with united ftrength. 
And, one in heart, in intVeft, and defigo, 
iGird up each other, to the race divine. 



C O If V B R'8 A T I O «• 213 

But CoavecTation, cboofe what theme we may. 
And chiefly when religion leads the way, 
Should^flow, like waters after fummer fhow'rs. 
Not as if rais'd by mere mechanic pow'rs* 
TheChriiiian^in whofe foulj though now diftrefs^d, 
Livos the dear thought of joys he once pofiefs'd. 
When all his glowing language ifiued fortb 
With>God*s deep (lamp upon its current worthy 
Will fpeak without difguife, and mud impart. 
Sad as it is, his undiilembling heart. 
Abhors conftraint, and dares not feign a zeal. 
Or feem to boad a fire, he does not feel. 
The long of SioU'is a taflelefs thing, 
Unlefs, when riling on a joyful wing, , 
The foul can mi& with the celeftial bands,. 
And give the firain the compafs it demands. . 

Strange tidings thefe to tell a world Who treat 
All but their own experience as deceit ! 
Will they, believe, though credulous enough 
To fwallow much upon much weaker proof, 
T<hat there are bleil inhabitants of earth. 
Partakers of a new ethereal birth. 
Their hopes, defires, and purpofes eftrang'd 
Froin.tbing8 terreftriali and divinely chang'd^^ 



1 



214 COKVfiRSATIOK. 

Their veiy language of a kind that fpeaks 
The fours fure intVed in the good ihe feek9. 
Who deal with fcriptore, its importance felt. 
As Tullj wjth philofophy once dealt. 
And in the filent watches of the night. 
And through the fcenes of toil-renewing light; 
The focial walk^ or io&tary ride. 
Keep ftill the dear companion at their fide ? 
No — fhame upon a ielf-difgracing age, 
God's work may ferre an ape upon a fiage 
With fuch a jefl as filFd with belliOi glee 
Certain inviiibles as Ihfewd as he^ 
But veneration or refpeft finds none. 
Save from the fubje«9s of that work alone. 
The world grown old, her deep difcernment fhows, 
Claps fpc6l:acles on her fagacious nofe, 
Perufes clofelj the true Chriftian's face. 
And finds it a mere maik of ilj grimace, 
Ufurps God*s office, lays his bofom bare. 
And finds hypocrify clofe lurking there. 
And, ferving God herlelf, through mere confiraint, 
Concludes his unfeigned love of him, a feint. 
And yet, God knows, look human nature through, 
(And in due time the world (hall know it too) 



CONVBBSATIOlr. 215 

That fince tbe flow'rs of Eden felt the h\9&, 
That after man*s defe^on laid all^waCle, 
Sincerity towards th* heart-fearcbing God, 
Has made tbe new-boro creature her abode. 
Nor (hall be foupd in unregen*rate fouk. 
Till the laft £re burn all between the poles* 
Sincerity? Why 'tis his only pride ^ 
Weak and imperfe6k in all grace belide. 
He knows that God demands his heart entire. 
And gives him all his juft demands require. 
Without it, his pretenfiooa were as vain. 
As, having it> he deems the world s difdain ; 
That great defe6b would eoft him not alone 
Man's favourable jttdgaoeDt, bat his ownj 
His birthright ihaken» and no longer clear, 
"Bian while his conduct pcoves his heajrt iiQcere. 
Retort the charge> and let the world be told 
She boafisa confidence &e does not hold; 
Tbat,.co0icious of her erimes> ihe feels iniiead 
A cold mifgiving^ apd a killing dread; 
That, while in health, the ground of her fuppopt 
Is madly to forget that Hfe is fhort; 
That fidk ihe treAables knowing ihe muft die^ 
Her hope prefamption> and her faith a.Hei 



216 CONVERSATION. 

That while (he dotes, and dreams that ftie believes. 

She mocks her Maker, and herfelf deceives, 

Her utmoft reach, hiftorical aflent. 

The doftrines warpt to what they never meant f 

That troth itfelf is in her head as dull. 

And ufelefs, as a candle in a fcull, 

And all her love of God a groondlefs claio^, 

A trick upon the canvafs, painted flame. 

Tell her again, the fneer upon her face, 

And all her cenfures of the work of grace. 

Are iniincere, meant only to conceal 

A dread ihe would not, yet ift forc'd to feel ; 

That in her heart the ChrifHan ihe reveres. 

And while ihe feems to fcorn him> only fears. 

A poet does not work by fquare or line^ 
As fmiths and joiaers period a deiign ; 
At leaft we modems, our attention lefs. 
Beyond th* example of our fires, digrefs. 
And claim a right to ifeamper and ran wide^ 
Wherever chance, caprice, or fancy guide. 
The world and I fortuitouily met$ 
I ow*d a triflle^ and have paid the debt 5 
She did me wrong, I recompensed the deed, 
Apd, having ftruck the balanoey now proceed. 



COVVfeKSATlOV. 217 

Perhaps, however^ as fome jean have paA'd^ 
Since (he and I conven'd together laft^ 
And I have liv*d reclufe in rural ihades. 
Which feldom a difiind report pervades^ 
Great changes and new manners have occarr*d» 
And bleft reforms that I have never heard. 
And ihe may now be as difcreet and wife. 
As once abfurd in all difceming ejes.- 
Sobriety^ perhaps, may now be found, 
Where once intoxication prefs*d the ground; 
The fubtle and injurious may be ju^r 
And hgi grown chafie thai was the ilave of luft; 
Arts once efteem*d may be with ihame difmiis'di 
Charity may relax the miner's fift^, 
The gamcfter may have caft his cards away. 
Forgot to curfe, and only kneel to pray. 
It has indeed been told me (with what weight. 
How credibly, 'tis hard for me to flate) 
That fables old, that feem*d for ever mut^ 
Reviv'd, are haft'ning into frefh repute. 
And gods and goddeiTes difcarded long. 
Like ufelcfs lumber, or a ^roller's fong. 
Are bringing into vogue their heathen traio^ 
And Jupiter bids fair to rule again j 



218 CONVBIISATI ON. 

That certaio feafts are inMtuted nom^ 
Where Veinu hears the lover*ft tender vow i 
That all dynyus through the ooontry roves. 
To Gonfecrate oar few remaiiUDg gvoves. 
And echo karng politely to repeat 
The praife of names for ages obfolete -, 
That having prov'd the weakneft^ it iboold feeni> 
Of revelation's ineffe^ual beam. 
To bring the paffions noder fober fvray. 
And give the moral fprings their proper {day. 
They mean to try what may at laft be done. 
By ftout fabftadtlal gods of wood and ftone. 
And wheth^ Roman rites may not produce 
The virtues of old Rome for £ngli£h afe« 
May fuch fuccefs attend the pious plan. 
May Mercury once more embelli(h man, 
Grace him again with long forgotten arts. 
Reclaim his talie and brighten up his parts, 
Make him athletic as in days of old. 
Learned at the bar, in thepakeftra bold, 
Diveft the rougher fex of female airs, 
And teach the fofter not, to copy their's : 
The change fhall pleafe^ nor (hall it matter aught 
Who works the wonder, if it bt but wrought* 



CO It ▼ I «ft AT to K« 319 

Tistime^ howt^et, if the oafe Aaiid* thn^, 
Por U8 plain fdk^ and all who fide with tfs^ 
To build our aitar^ confideat and bold. 
And fay as flem Elijah faid of old— 
The flrife now fiands upon a fair award, 
If Ifraers Lord be God> then ferve the Lord : 
If he be filent^ faith is all a whim^ 
Then Baal ia the God, and worfhip him. 

Digreffion is fo much in modern nfe. 
Thought is fo rare, and fancy fo profufe^ 
Some never feeoi fo wide of their intent. 
As when returning to the theme they meant y 
As mendicants, whofe bufinefs is to roam. 
Make ev'ry pari(h> but their own, their home. 
Thongh fuch continual zigzags in a book, 
Such drunken reelings ha?e an awkward look. 
And I had rather creep to what is true^ 
Than rove and ftagger with no mark in view y 
Yet to confnlt a little, fcem'd no crime. 
The freakiih humour of (he prefent time : 
But now to gather up what feems difpers*d» 
And tduCh the fnbjeft I defign*d at firfl. 
May prove, thongh much beiide the rules of art, 
Beft for the public^ and my wifefl part* 



220 GO VyBftiATION. 

And firft^ let no man di4rge me that I mean-- 
To clothe in fable eyery focial fcene. 
And give good company a face fevere, 
As if they met around a father's bier ; 
For tell fome men> that pleafure all their bent. 
And laughter all their work, is life mtfpent. 
Their wifdom burfts into this iage reply. 
Then mirth is iia, and we ihould always cry. 
To find- the medium aiks fome ihare of wit,. 
And therefore 'tis a mark fools never hit. 
But though life*s valley be a vale of tears, 
A brighter fcene beyond that vale appears, 
Whofe glory, with a light that never fades. 
Shoots )>etweoa fcatterUrocks and op*niag ihades, 
And, while it (hows the land the foul defires, 
The language of the land ihe feeks, infyires; 
Thus touched, the tongue receives a facred cure, 
Of all that was abfurd, profane, impure ; 
Held within modeft bounds, the tide of fpeech 
Purfues the courfe that truth and nature teach; 
No longer labours merely to produce 
The pomp of found, or i^nkle without ufe : 
Wherever it winds, the falutary ibream. 
Sprightly and freih, enriches evVy themcj 



-CONVBRS ATION* ^l 

"^Vhilc all the happy man pofrefs'd before, 
' The gift of nature, or the claffic (bre, 
Is made fvibfervient to the grand deiign. 
For which heav'n fornl'd the 'faculty divine. 
^So, fhould an idiot, while at large he firays. 
Find the fweet lyre on which an artiA plays. 
With rafh and awkwardforce thediords he (hakes. 
And grins with wonder at the jar he makes ; 
But let the wife and wellrinfl^ruded hand 
Once take the ihell beneath his juft command, 
In gentle founds it feems as it complain'd 
Of the rude injuries it late fuflain'd. 
Till tun*d at length to fome immortal fong, 
Itfounds Jehovah's name, andpourshispraifealong. 



RETIREMENT. 



'•Jliidtis fiorem ignohilis oil, 

ViRG. Gcor. Lib. 4. 



HACKV£y*D in bufinefs, "wearied at that oar 
Which thoofands, oncefaft cfaain*d to, quit no mor^ 
But which, when life at ebb runs weak and low, 
All wifi), or feem to wifh, they could forego; 
The ftatefman, lawyer, merchant, man of trade, 
Pants for the refuge of fome rural fhade. 
Where, all his long anxieties forgot 

Amid the charms of a fequefter*d fpot> 

 

Or recollefted only to gild o'er 

And add a fmile to what was fweet before. 

He may poHefs the joys he thinks he fees. 

Lay his old age upon the lap of eafe, 
6 



BBTIRSHBNT^ 2^' 

linproTe the remnant of ha wafled (pun, 

And, having liv'd a trifler, die a roan. 

*Thu8 confcience pleads her caufe within the brea^,- 

Though long rebelled againii^ not yet fappre(ii*d. 

And calls a creature ^m'd for God alone, 

Por heav*n*8 high porpofes, and not hia own ; 

Calls him away from felfiih ends and aims. 

From what debilitates and what inflames. 

From cities, hamming with a refUefs crowd. 

Sordid as a6kive, ignorant as loud, 

Whofe higfaeil praife is that thejr live in vain. 

The dopes of pleafure, or the Haves of gain. 

Where works of man are clufter*d clofe around^ 

And works of God are hardlj to be found. 

To regions where, in fpite of fin and woe^ 

Traces of Eden are itUl feen b^low. 

Where mountain, river, fofefl, field, and grove, 

Bemind him of his Maker's power and love. 

Tis well if, look*d for at fo late a day. 

In the lad fcene of fuch a fenfelefs play, 

True wifdom will attend his feeble call. 

And grace his adion ere the curtain fall. 

Souls that have long defpis*d their heav*nly birth. 

Their wiihes all impregnated with earth, 



i^^'^ 



/ 



For threefcore years emplo/d with ceafdleiscaie 
In catching fmoke and feeding upon air, 
CoDverfant only with the ways of men, 
Karely redeem the ihort remaining ten. 
InvetVate habits choke th* uafruitful heart. 
Their .fibres penetrate its tend*reil part, 
And; draining its nutritious pow'rsr to feed 
Their nowus growth, ftarve ev*ry better feejl. 

Happy, if full of days — but happier, far. 
If, ere we yet diCcern life*s ev'ning ftar. 
Sick of the fervice of a world that feeds 
Its patient drudges with dry chafi* and weeds, 
We can efcape from cadom's idkyt fway. 
To ferve the Sov'reign we were born t* obey. 
Then fw^etto mufe upon his &ill difplay'd 
(Infinite ikill) in all that he has made ! 
To. trace, in nature's mod minute defign. 
The fignature and ftamp of pow'r divine. 
Contrivance intricate, exprefs'd witheafe. 
Where unaififted fight no beauty fees. 
The fhapely limb and lubricated joint. 
Within the fmall dimenfions of a point, 
.Mufcle and nerve miraculoufly fpun, 
>His mighty work* who iljpeaks and it is done^ ^ ' 



'Th* invifible ia things /caice fcca rereald^ 
-To whom an atom is an ample field } 
To wonder at a thoi^^d infe^ forxQf, 
"Thefe hatdi'd, and thoCe rerufcitated worms, 
.New iife ordained and brighter feenes to ihane^ 
Once prone on earth, now buoyant upon air, 
Whofe fhape would jmake ^edi, iiadtliey bulk and 

More hideoas[foes than funcy can devife ; 
With^helmet lieads and dragon fcales adorned. 
The mighty myriads, now fecurely fcorh*d. 
Would mock the majedy of niaa*s high birth, 
Defpife kis bulwarks, and unpeople «arth: 
Then with a glance- of lan<;y to furvey. 
Far as^ the faculty ean firetch mway, 
Ten thoufand rivers pour*d at his command . 
From urns that never fairthtoogh every land; 
Thefe like a^deluge with impetuous force, 
Thofe winding nuxiedly^a iilent^ourfe; 
The cloud -&Brmoun ting alps, the fruitful vales; 
Seas on which ev'ry nation- fpreads her fails ; * 

The fun, a world whence other worlds drink Ught,^ 
The crefcent moon^ thediadem of night j 
VOL. I. CI 



Stars CKhuidds, «adi ia bis appointed plaoe» 
Fafl-aDcbor*d in thedeep.abjrf&of fpacer**- 
At fuch a 0gbtio catch dbepoofa darae. 
And .with a taplure Mke bis owa ej^clatm,. 
Thpfe ^re tl^ gkrxous worksi tliovi fource ofgpodf 

Ttfaine^ an^i tpbdd byAhy patdrnalcare, 
Tbis univerfal frame, thus wondrous f^ir; 
Thy pow*r dmne, and bdiuaiy beyond iboUgbt, 
Adoifd and prak'd id all tbat tbou bafl ^rdugbt 
Abforbi'd in tbat irameDfity I ihe, 
I .fbi:iok abas'd, and yet a^tr e to tbce ; 
Inflrud ax, guide me, to tb^t beav'nly day 
Tby words inore clearly tb^n tbjr work^ diipkj^ 
Tbat, wbile tby tratfas my. gro£&r tbougbts refine^ 
I may fefeinble tbee and'call tbee mmc* 

Ob ' blell proficiency I furpa^ing- all 
Tbat men erronfeoully. tbek ^ory cally 
Tbe recompenib tbat arts, or arms can yields 
Tbe bar, ^be fenate, of the teuted field. 
Ck>mpaf*d with tbb fublinieft life below» 
Ye kings and nslers^ wbat bare courts to fhow? 
Thus du^ed, us*d and confecrated thus, 
On earth what is, ieeois form'd indeed for us; 



] 



B^TIBBMEMT. 22J 

2^t^ the plajthiDg of a froward child, 
Fretful unlcfs diverted and bcguird^ 
Af ach lefs to fqed and fan the fatal firea 
Of pride, amUtion, or impure defires. 
Bat as a fcale by which the foul afcends 
From mighty means to more important ead^, 
SecurdTy thou^ by fi«p8 but ratfly trod, 
JMountfi from ioleiior beings up ta.GM, 
And fees, by no fallacious light €>t dini> 
Earth made for man, and man bimlii^f f^r him. 
Not that I mean t* approve, or would enforce, 
A fuperfiitious and monadic courfe : 
Truth is not local, God alike pervades 
And fills the world of. traffic and theibadesi 
And may be fear'd amidft the bufieft fqenes. 
Or fcorn'd where bufinefs never intervenes* 
But *tis not eafy with a mind like oar*s, 
€k)nfcipus of weaknefs in its nobleft pow*rs» 
And in a world where, other ills apart; 
The roving eye mifleads the carelefs heart. 
To limit thought, by nature prone to flray 
Wherever freakifii fancy points the wayj 
To bid the pleadiQgs^of felf-love i>t ilill,. 
Refign our own and feek our Maker's will; 

a 2 



\ 



i28 BBTIREMXNT. 

To fpread tbe page of fcripture, and compare 
Our condu6t with the laws engraven there; 
To meaiure all that pafles in tbe breaft. 
Faithfully, fairly, by that facred teftj 
To dive into the fecret deeps within. 
To fpare no paffion and no favVite fin. 
And fearch the themes, important above all, 
Ourfelvcs and our recov*ry from our fall. 
But leifure^ filence, and a mind released 
Fr(An anxious thoughts how wealth may be in- 
creased. 
How to fecure in fome propitious hour 
The point of int'reft or the poft of powV,* 
A foul ferene, and equally retir*d 
From objeds too much dreaded or de(ir*d. 
Safe from the clamours of perverfe difpute^ 
At lea ft are friendly to the great purfuit. 

Opening the map of Grod*s extenfive plan; 
We find a little ifle, this life of man ; 
£ternity*8 unknown expanfe appears 
Circling around and limiting his years. 
The bufy race examine, and explore 

Each creek and cavern of tbe dangVous ihorc, 

I 



KETxxEiiiEirr« 22g 

^ith care eolle6^ what in their eyes exceki 
Some ihining pebbles, and fome weeds and fhells^ 
Thus laden, dream that they arQ rich and great. 
And happiefl he that groans beneath his weight; 
The waves overtake them in their ferious play. 
And ev*ry hour fweeps multitudes away > 
They fhriek and fink, furvivors flart and weep^ 
Purfue their fport, and follow to the deep. 
A few forfake the throng 5 with lifted eyes 
Aik wealth of heav*n, and gain a real prizes- 
Truth, wifdom, grace, and peace like that above, 
SeaFd with his fignet whom they ferve and love; 
Scorn'd by the rel^, with patient hope they wait 
A kind releafe from their imperfed ilate. 
And, unregretted, are foon fnatch*d away 
From fcenes of forrow into glorious day: 

Nor thefe alone prefer a Hfe reclufe. 
Who feck retirement for its proper ufc; 
The love of change that lives in ev*ry breail^ 
Genius, and temper, and defire of reft, 
Difcor^^at motives in one centre meet. 
And each inclines its vot'ry to retreat. 
Some minds by nature are averfe to noife. 
And hate the tumult half the world enjoys. 



The lore of avVice, or the pompons pri^ 
'That courts difpby before ambitiou* eyes j 
The fruits that hang on pleaftirc*s flow'rjr ilem, 
Whate'er enbhants them, are no fnarcs to them. 
To them the deep recefs of dtHky groves> 
Or foreft where the deer fecurelj roves. 
The fall of waters, and the fong -of birds. 
And hais that echo to the cfiftant herds. 
Are luxuries excelKng all the glare 
The world can boaft, and her chief fev'rites ftare. 
With eager ftep, and carelefsfly array'd. 
For fiich a caufe the poet fecks the fhade. 
From all he fees he catches new delight, 
Pleas'd fancy claps her pinions at the fight. 
The rifing or the fetting orb of day. 
The clouds that flit, or flowly float away. 
Nature in all the various fhapes fhe wears. 
Frowning in ftorms, or breathing gentle airs, 
The ihowy robe her wintry flatc afliimes. 
Her fumraer heats, her fruits, and her perfames«^ 
All, all alike tranfport the glowing bard, 
Succefs in riiyme his glory and reward. 
Oh nature ! whofe Elyfian fcenes difclofe 
His bright perfc6tions at whofe word they rofc^ 

6 



XSTISSMSNT. ^X 



Next to that pow*r who form- d tbee and iiiQd 
Be thou the great iofpirer of my firaios. .^ ' 
Still, as I touch the lyre, do thpu expand 
Thy geouiue charms^ and gmde an artiefs handy 
That I may catch a fire but rarely known, , 
Gir« ufeful light though I fhould mifs renown^ 
And^ poring on thy page, whofe evVy Hae > 
Bears proof of an itybeiligence divine^ 
May feel an heart enrich'd by what it pafi^. 
That builds its glory on its Maker's praife. 
Woe io the man whofe wit difclaims its ufe^ 
Glit^'nng in vain, or only to feduce^ 
Who Indies natare with a wanton eye. 
Admires ^he work^ but ^ps the leifofi^ bjy 
His hours of leifure and recefs enapk^a 
In drawing pi6hire» of forbidden joy^i^ 
Betires to blazon bis own worthiefs name. 
Or ihoot the cardtefs with a furer aim. 

The lover too ibuns buiineis and alarms, 
Tender idolater of abfent charms. 
Saints offer nothing in t^ir warmeil pray'n, 
That he devotes not with a zeal liitje their's; 
Tis confecration of his heart, foul, time, 
And ev*ry 4hooght th«t wanders, k a crime;. 



232 XBTIHIMENTZ 

Id fighs he worfhips his fupremdf 'fair, . 
And weeps a fad libation in deipair. 
Adores a creature, and, dtvout in •vainj 
Wins in return an anfwerof diidain. 
As woodbine weds the plant within her feach,;. 
Rough elm, or fmooth-grain'd alh> or gloify beeel^ 
In fpiral rings afcends the tninl:^ and la js • 
Her golden taifels en the leafy fpreys. 
But docB a n^ifchief while ihe lends a graee; 
Straitening its growth by fuch a &nSt embrace—^ 
So love, that clings around the noblefl nainds* . 
Forbids th' advancement of the foul he binds ', . 
The fuitor^s^ air indeed he foon improves. 
And forms it to the ta(le of hier he loves^ . 
Teaches his eyes a language, and no lels 
Beiines his fpeech and faihions his addref»: 
But farewell promifes of happier fruits> 
Manly defigns, and learning's grave purfuits 3 
Girt with a chain he cannot wi^ to break, . 
His only blifs is ibrrow for her fake ; 
Whawill may pant for glory and excel, 
Her imile his aim, all higher aims farewell/l 
Thyrfis, Alexis, or whatever name 
May ieaft offend againft fo gure a flame^i. 



Ifhongfa {age advice of frieDds the moft finoero^ 
ISoupds harihlj in fo delicate an ear> 
And lowers of allcreatures> tame or \vild, 
. Can lead* brook managenaent^ iiowever mild^ 
Yet let a poet (poetry difarma* 
The fierceft animals with magic charms^ 
Bifque an intrufion on thy peniive mood^^ 
And woo and win thee to thy proper gpod« 
Paftoral images^and ftiU retreats, 
Umbrageous walks and ibliiary feat9> 
Sweet birds in concert with harmonious fireams^ 
Soft alrsy no6i:uroaI vigilsy and day dreams. 
Are all enchantments in a cafe like thine,. 
Confpire againft^thy peace with one defign,. . 
Sooth thee to make thee but a furer prey. 
And feed the fire that waftes-thy powVs away* 
Up— God- has formxi thee with a wifer view> 
Not to be led in chains, but to fubdue,- 
Calls thee to cope with enemies, and firft 
Points out a coufiift with thyfelf, theworft^ 
Woman indeed^ a gift he would befbw 
When he defign'd a paradife below. 
The richeft earthly booa his iiands affi>rd^ 
sDefenres to be belov*d, but not ador*d. 



2S4 SBTIKBlCBIffT. 

Pdft away fwiftlj to nkom a6dve (oeoea, 
CoUea the fcattei'd traths that ftudf gl^^aiM^ 
Mix with the worid^ bat with its wifer part,- 
No loDger gWe ao image ^1 ttune heart; 
Its empire is not her*8^ oor is it thine, 
Tis God's juft c4ataa, prerogati^ diYiiie. 

Virtuoiis atid fakhfol H«»Ba0Btr ! vAafb flail 
Atten^fl no taik it cannot wcH fcdfil. 
Gives melancholy op to aatiue*a cair, 
And» fends the patient into p u r er air. 
Look where he comes— in diis embowVd aloore*- 
Stand dofe conceal'd, and fee a ftatne moTc: 
Lips bafy, and eyes €%t, foot ftdiing fiow. 
Arms hanging idly down, bands da^'d bdow. 
Interpret to the marking eye diftrefi. 
Such as its fymptoms can a!one ezprefs. 
That tongne is filent now f that fiient tongue 
Could argue once, conld jeft or join the fbng, 
Could give advice, could cenfure or ooramend. 
Or charm the forrows of a drooping friend. 
Renounced tdike its office and its iport. 
Its bri£ker and its graver drains fall fliort; 
Both fail beneath a fevei^s fecret fway. 
And, like a farnmer-^brook^ are paft away* 



This ig fl 6ght for pity to perafe / 
Till ihe nefenoible Mat)y what fiie vie«9|. 
Till fympaiiij €ODtca& a kindred pahiy 
Pierc'd wUh the woes that.ilie kgneols io vaku ' 
This, of all maladies that'man iofeft. 
Claims moft compafQon, atid xeeeinres the kaft,( 
Job M,t it, when he gcoan'^d beneath the rod 
And the barbVi arrows of a frowniiig (Sodf 
And fnofe emollients as his fiieoda coald ipar^» 
Fneods fnch a6 hk fi)r modem Jobs piiepftce. 
£le(l> rather curfi^ with hearts that never feeik . 
Kept fnug. in caikets of clofenbaoHBer'd Oeel» 
With moutha made only to grin wide and ea^ 
And rnind^ that deem derided pajn a troaV 
With JUmbs of Brki& oak» aod ner?es of wi^ 
And wit that pup^t-pi»mp^eiB oosgbt inipine^ 
Their fov'reign nofkrum is a iclnsmfy jo^ie. 
On pangs enforcd with God's fevered drokc* 
But, with a foul that ever felt the fling 
Of forrow, forrow is a facred thing : 
Not to moled, or irritate^ or raife 
A laugh wt his expence, is ilender praile; 
He that has not ufurp*d the name of man 
Does 9&, and dcemi top HtUe allj he can^ 



S36 BITISSMBITT* 

T afluage the throbbings of the fefler'd part. 
And fbuncb'the bleedings of a broken heart. 
Tis not, as beads that never ache fuppofe^ 
Foeg*ry of fancy, and a dream of woes y 
Man is an harp whofe chords elude the figh^ 
Each 3ridding harmony difpos^d aright ; 
The ferews revers'd (a tafk which if he pleafe 
God in a moment executes with eafe). 
Tea thoufand thoufand brings at once g/o loofe^ 
Loft, till he tune them, all their pow*r and ufe; 
Then neither heathy wilds, nor icenes as fair 
As ever recompensed the peafant's care^ 
Nor foft declivities with tufted hills'^ 
Nor view of waters turning bufy mills, 
Paito in which art preceptrefs nature wed%.^ 
Nor gardens interfpers'd with flbw'ry beds, 
Nor gales that catch the fcent of blooming grovesy 
And- waft it to the mourner as he roves,. 
Can call up life ioto his faded eye^ 
That paflcs all he fees unheeded by r 
No wounds like thofe a wounded fpirit feel8> 
No cure for fuch, till God whomakes then^ healsw 
And thou, fed fuffVer under namelefs ill. 
That yields not to the touch of hamaa ikill». 



Improve the kind bccafion, underftand 

A Father's frbWn, and kifs his chaft*mng handr 

To thee the day^fprin^, and the blaze of noon. 

The pnrple evening and refplendent moon> 

The ftars that^ fprinkled o*er the vault of night. 

Seem drops ddfcending in a ihov/f of light. 

Shine not, or undeiir*d and hated ihine, 

Seen through the medium of a cloudlike thine : 

Yet feek him, in his favour life is found. 

All blifs befide— a fiiadow or a found : 

Then heav*n, edips*d fo long, and this dull earth. 

Shall feem to flart itito a fecond birth $ 

Nature, aiTuming a more lovely face. 

Borrowing a beauty from the works of grace, 

Shall be defpis d ani overlooked no more. 

Shall fill thee with delights unfelt before. 

Impart to things inanimate a voice. 

And bid her mountains and her hills rejoice; 

The found fhall run along the winding vales, 

Attd thou enjoy an £den ere it faib. 

Ye groves (the jdatelinan at his deik exclaims. 
Sick of a thoufand difappointed aims,) 
My patrimonial treafure and my pride. 
Beneath your (hades your gray polTeflbr hide. 



n 



Receive me ^aoguiflung for that repofe 

The fejFvaBt of the public neyer know^. 

Ye faw me ooce {ah, thofe regretted days 

When boyiih innocence was all my praife !) 

Hour after hour delightfully allot 

To fludies thi^a familiav, fince forgot. 

And cultivate a ta(te for ancient fong, 

Catching ils ardour aB I mus*d along 5 

Nor feldomi a& propitioua heaven inight fend. 

What once I valued and coold boai^^ a friend^ 

Were witneffe& bow cordially I prefs'd 

His undifTembdif}^ virtue to my bread | 

Heceive me now, not uqcorrupt as then, 

Nor guiltlefs of corrupting other men. 

But vers*d in arts tha^ while they feem to ibiy 

A falling empire, haflen its decay. 

To the fair haven of my native bomei 

The wreck of what I was» fEitigu^d, I come; 

For onoe I can approve the patriot's voice. 

And make the coutfe he recommends my choice 5 

We meet at )a^ in one fincere defire, 

His wi(h and mine both prompt noe to retire, 

Tis done — he iieps into the welcome d^aile, 

Lolls at Us eafe behind four handfome bays. 



»^~»-^ 



3Z jHHsnaz^y^DHBuKns^sr" 



TTbat whirl awajr fiDm btffinefa and 4t^to • 
The difinctimber'd A(laA<^ the flatc* 
Aik not the bof ^ who whqn the breeze of a»om> 
Fird fh^kiss the glittVtog dropsf from t^ftxy tbcPiir, ' 
Unfolds his flock, . thea qodor bank or bu& . 
Sita linking cherrj dones, or platting ruihf 
How fair is freedom?— --hje was alwaya free; 
To carve his rufiic name upon- a tree^ 
To fnare the mole, or witlviII'faihioa*d hook 
To draw th' incautious minnow from the. brook. 
Are life s prime pkafures.in his (imple vic^w^ 
His £ock the <:hief concern he ever, knew-^ . 
^he fhines but little in.hia heedlefs eyes^ 
The good we never mils we rarely prizes 
But aik the ^noUe drudge ia flate affairs, 
Efcap*d from' office and its Q|pflant cares. 
What charms he fees in freedom's fmile expreis'd^ 
In freedom loft £o long, now repoHe&'d ; 
The tongue whofe drains were cogent as command^ 
Ilever*d at home, and felt in foreign lands, 
Shall own itfelf a flamm*rer in that caufe. 
Or plead its £lence as'its beil applaufe. 
He knows indeed that, whether drefs'd orrnde^ 
Wild without art, or artfully fubdu'd, 



^0 K'ETIKEnENT* 

Katurc in ev'ry form infpires delight. 
But never mark*d her with fo juft a fighft. 
Her liedge-row (hrubs, a variegated ftore, 
"With woodbine and wild rofes mantled o*er, 
Crreen balks and furrow'd lands, the ih-eatn tkatt 

fpreads 
Its cooling vapour o'er \he dewy meads. 
Downs that almofl efcape th* inquiring eye. 
That meh and fade into the diHant iky. 
Beauties he lately flighted as he pafs'd. 
Seem all created iince lie traveird laft. 
Mafter of all th' enjoyments he defign'd. 
No rough annoyance rankling in his mind. 
What early philofophic hours he keeps. 
How regular his meals, how found he Heepsl 
Not founder he that oirthe mainmaft head. 
While morning kindles with a windy red. 
Begins a long look-out for diilant land. 
Nor quits, till evening watch, his giddy ftand. 
Then fwift defcending with a feaman*s hafle, 
'^lips to his^hammoc, and forgets the blafl. 
He choofes company, but not the fquirc's, 
Whofe wit is rudenefs, whofe good breeding tires i 



SBTIREMENT. 241 

Nor yet the parfon's, who would gladly come, 
Obfeqaions when abroad^ though proud at home; 
Nor can he much affed the neighb'ring peer, 
Whofc toe of emulation treads too near; 
But wifely feeks a more convenient friend. 
With whom, difmiffing forms, he may unbend! 
A nma whom marks of condefcending grace 
Teach, while they flatter him, his proper place; 
Who comes when calFd, and at a word withdrawn. 
Speaks with referve, and lidens with applaufe; 
Some plain mechanic, who, without pretence 
To birth or wit, nor gives nor takes offence; 
On whom he refts wellrpleas'd his weary powers, 
And talks and laughs away his vacant hours* 
The tide of life, fwift always in its courfe. 
May run in cities with a briiker force. 
But no where with a current fo ferene^ 
Or half fo clear, as in the rural fcene. 
Yet how fallacious is all earthly blifs. 
What obvious truths the wifed heads may mifs ) 
Some pleafures live a month, and fome a year. 
But ihort the date of all we gather here ; 
No happinefs is felt^ except the true. 
That does not charm thee more for being new. 
yoL. I. R 



2^ KBTIBBMBKT. 

Thtt.obfervation, as it chanc'd> not made. 
Or if the thought occurrM* aot dHly weigb*4 
He fighs — for, after all^ by flow degre^^ 
The fpot he lov'd has loft the powV to pleafej 
To crofs his ambling pony day by day. 
Seems at the beft but dreaming life away$ 
The profped, fuch as might enchant defpair. 
He views it not, or fees no beauty tbeTej 
With aching heart, and difcoatent^ looks^ 
Betums at noon to billiards or te boote. 
But feels, while grafping at his fa^d joys^ 
A fecret thirft of bis renouf)c*d employs. 
Hp chides the tattlinefs of ^ev*ry pofl^ 
Pants to be told of battles won or loftj 
Blames his own ]ndolence> ob(brV^$> though late, 
'Tis criminal to kave a finking ftat^ 
Flies to the levee, and, reeeiy'd with grace. 
Kneels, kifles hands, and {Jhines again in ^Iace« 

Suburban villas, highway-fide retreats, 
Thatdread th*encroQchtnen t of otir growing ftreete, 
Tight boxes, neatly fafli*d> mid in t bkitQ 
With all a July futi'a collected ray», 
Delight the citizen, who, gafping ther<^> 
Breathes clouds of 'dttft> and <»Us it coimtry air. 

6 



mBTIRBMSNT. 24d 

Oh fweet retiiemeDty who would balk the thought^ 
That could afford retirpment^ or eoiild oot .> 
ma fadi an eafy walk, {o fmooth and ^raight^ 
The feooBd miSeftone fronts the garden gatei 
A ftep if fair, andy if a (how*r approach. 
You find fafe (helter in the next ftage-coach. 
TlMm, prifdn'd in a parlour fnng and fmall, 
Like bottled wafps upon a finithern wall, 
The man of bns'nefi and bis friends eomprefs'd. 
Forget their laboure, and yet find no reft; 
But flill 'tis Tural-^trees are to be (een 
From ev*ry window, and the ^eids are green ; 
Ducks paddle in die pond before the door, 
And what could a remoter feene (how more ^ 
A fenfe of elegance we irardy fiud 
The portion of a mean or viodigar mind, 
And igaoranoe of better things makes man. 
Who cannot much, rejoice »n what he can ; 
And he that deems his leifu^e well be(liow*d 
In contenf Itftion of a tornpike road. 
Is occupied as wcAl, employs his hours 
As wifely, and as much improves his pow*rs. 
As he that ilumbevs in pavilions grac'd 
With ali the charms of an accomp)tih*d tafte. 

R2 



W4 HIS T I E.E  B K T» 

Yet hence^ alas I infolvencies; and hence 
The unpitied vidim of ill-judg'd expcncc. 
From all his wearifome engagements freed. 
Shakes hands with bufinefs, and retires indeed. 

Yourprudent grand-mammas/ye modern belles» 
Content with Briilol, Bath, and Tunbridgc-wells, 
When health required it would confent to roam, 
£lfe more attached to pleafures found at home. 
But now alike, gay widow, virgin, wife^ 
Ingenious to diverfify dull life. 
In coaches^ chaifes, caravans, and hoys. 
Fly to the coaft for daily, nightly joys. 
And all, impatient of dry land, agree. 
With one confent, to ruih into the fea. — 
Ocean exhibits, fathomlefs and broad. 
Much of the power and majefty of God. 
He fwathes about the fwelling of the deep. 
That (hines and re^, as infants fmile and ileep^ 
Vaft as it is, it anfwers as it flows 
The breathings of the lighted air that blows ^ 
Curling and whitening over all the wafle. 
The rifing waves obey th' iftcreafing blaft. 
Abrupt and horrid as the tempefi roars. 
Thunder and flafh upon the Hedfall ihor.es. 



RETIKBMBNT.- 2^5' 

1111 he that ride* the whirlwind checks the reio. 
Then, all the world of waters deeps again i-— 
Nereids or Dryads, as the fafhion leads, 
!N'ow in the floods, now panting, in the meads, 
"Vot'ries of pleafiire ftiil; where'er fhe dwells^. 
Near barren rocks, in palaces, or cells,^ 
Oh grant a poet leave to recommend 
(A pocffond of nature, and your friend) 
Her (lighted works to your admiring view; 
Her works mufl needs excel, who fa(hion*d you* 
Would ye, when rambling, in your morning ride,- 
With fome unmeaning coxcomb at your fide. 
Condemn the prattler for his idle pains. 
To waiie unheard the mufic of his flrains. 
And, deaf to all th* impertinence- of tongue; 
That, while it courts, aifrontsand does you wrong,. 
Mark well the finiih*d plan without a fault, 
The feas globofe andhuge, th* overarching vault,- 
Earth's millions daily fed, a world employ U^ 
In gathering plenty yet to be enjoy'd. 
Till gratitude grew vocal in the praife 
Of Qod, beneficent in all his ways^ 
Grac d with fuch wifdom,how would beauty fhine 1> 
Ye want bi)t that to feem indeed divine* 



246 . ' K 1 T 1 1 E IC X S T. 

Anticipated rents^ and biils unpaid^ 
Force many a ihinitig youth into the ihad^ 
Not to redeem hia time, bat bis efkite. 
And plaj the foo1> but at a cheaper rate*. 
There^ hid in loath'd obfcurit/, remov'd 
From pleafures left> but never more belov'dy. 
He jud endures, and with a fickly fpleen. 
Sighs o*er the beauties of the charming fcenc. 
Nature indeed looks prcttil j lo rhyme > 
Streams tinkle fweetly in poetic eMme f 
The warbltngs of the blackbird, clear taAftroag, 
Are mufical enough in Thomfon's fong^ . 
AndCobham'sgroves^and Wind(br*s green isetreats,. 
When Pope defcribes them,.haveathoufand fweets^ 
He likes the country, but in truth muft'Own> 
Mod likes it, when he iludies it in Cown^. 

Poor Jack— -no matter who^— for when I blam*^ 
I pity, and muft therefore (ink the name,. 
Liv'd in his (addle, lov'd the chafe> the courfe^ 
And always, ere he mounted, kifs'd hi& horfe. 
Th* eftate his fires had own*d in ancient years 
Was quickly difianc*d, matched againft a peer's* 
Jack vaniih*d^ was regretted and forgot -, 
^Tis wild good^nature's never-faiting lot* 



IfBVIBBUBVY. 24f' 

At length:, when 9II had long £bpp(M*4 biin dead. 
By cfM fat>ni€Ffioa^ razor, lope, or 1^, 
My lord, alighting at hk ufuai plaoe^ 
The CrowOy took notice of an* oftler^s face. 
Jack knew Ms fritnd, but hop'din that difgiaiftr 
He might eibapc the nioft phferviDg eyes. 
And whiftiiDg, as if poconcarn^d and gay* 
Curried his nag^ and looked another way.. 
Convioc*d at lafl, upon a nearer view, 
Twas he, the fame, the very Jack he knew, 
Cyerwhelni*d at once with wonder, grief, and joy^ 
He prefs'd him nuach to quit his bafe employ 3 
Ifis countenance, his purfe, his heart, his hand^- 
In^'ence and powV, were ali at his command : 
Peers are not always gen-rous as well-bred. 
But Granby was, meant truly wha^ he faid*- 
Jack bow*d,and wasoblig'd— confefs'd'twas ftrange 
That fo retired he Chould not wiih a change. 
But knew no medium between guzzling- beer> 
And his old ^nt — three tboufand pounds a year. 
Thus fome retire to nouriih hdpelefs woe j 
' .Some feeking happinefs not found below j 
Some to comply with humour, and a mind 
To fodal fceaes by nature di(incliA*d y 



248 RBTIBEMBNT. 

Some fway^d by fafhion, fome by de^p difguftf - 
Some felf-impovVi(h*d, and becaufe they mu&'y 
But few that court Retirefl^ent are aware 
Of half the toils they moil ehcoonter there. 

Lucrative offices are feldom loft 
For want of pow*rs proportioned to the pod: 
Give e*eo a dunce th' employment he defires^ 
And he foon £nis the talents it requires y 
A bufiuefs with an income at his heel^ 
Furniihes always oil for its own wheeh» 
Bat in his arduous enterprife to clofe 
His adive years with indolent repofe. 
He fmds the labours of that fiate exceed 
His utmoft faculties, fevere indeed. 
'Tis eafy to refign a toilfome place> 
But not to manage leifnre with a grace } 
Abfence of occupation is not rt&y 
A mind quite vacant is a mind diHrefs'd. 
The vet'ran Aeed, excus d his tafk at lengthy 
In kind compaliion of h^ failing £lrengtb> 
And turn*d into the park or mead to graze. 
Exempt from future fervice all his days. 
There feels a pleafure perfed in its kind. 
Ranges at liberty, aud fnufis the wind: 



But when'his lord would quit the bufy road,. 

To lafte a joy like that he had beiiow*d. 

He proves lefs happy than his favour*d brute^ 

A life of eafe a (Hfficult purfuit. 

Thought, tathe man that never thinks^ may feuxft 

As natural as, when^afleep> to dream f 

But reveres (for human minds will ad)^ 

Specious in ihow, iinpoffible tn fa^, 

Thofe flimfy webs that break as foon as wrought,. 

Attain not to the dignity of thought :: 

Nor yet the iwarms that occu{^ the brain. 

Where dreamsofdrefs, intrigue, and pleafure reign y. 

Nor fuch as ufelef^ converfation breeds. 

Or lufl engenders> and indulgence feeds* 

Whence, and what are we ?• to what end ordain*d ^ 

What means the drama by the, .world futftain*d ^ 

Bufinefs or vain amufement, care or mirth,. 

Divide the frail inhabitants of earth. 

Is duty a mere fport, or an employ ? 

Life an intruded talent, or a toy? 

Is there, as reafon, confcience, fcripture, fay, 

Caufe to provide for a great future day, 

When, earth's aflign'd duration at an end, 

Man (hall be fummon*d and the dead attend ? 



The trotxipet^-wwill it found ? the eartalit rift S^ 
And fhow th^ auguft tribunal of the ikies^. 
Where DO prevarication ihaE avails 
Where eloquence and artifice fliall faB^ 
The pride of arrogant diftindions faU, 
And confcience and our condn^ judge ua aH 9 
Pardon me, ye that give the midnigbt oil' 
To learned cares or philo£Dphie toU^ 
ThoDgh I revere joor honourable namee. 
Your ufeful kbourtxid important aims^ 
And hold the world indebted to your aid> 
Enrich- d> with the diicoveries ye have madef 
Yet let rae ibind eibcus'd, if I efieem 
A mind eniploy*d on {» fublime a> theme^. 
Pofhing her bold inquiry to the date 
And outline of the prefent tranfient ilate^ 
And, after pcafiog her adventVom wings,. 
Settling at lad upon- eternal things^ 
Far more intelligent^ and better taught 
The ftrenuous ufe of profitable thought^ 
Than ye, when happieii, and enlighten'd noo^ 
And bighefl in renown^ can jtiilly boail. 
A mind unnerv'd, or indifpos'd to bear 
The weight of ikbje^s worthieft of her cacc. 



BBTimiMBNTS 251 

Whatever hopes a chnge of foene in^ises^ 
Moil change her nature, oc in vain retires- 
An idler is a watch that wants both hands. 
As ufe]e6 if it goes as when it fiands. 
Books therefore, not the feandal of the Aelves^ 
In which lewd &nfuali& print out therafelves;. 
Nor tbofe in which the flage gives vice^a blow^. 
With what fncoefs let modem, manners ihow^ 
Nor his who, ibr the bane of thoafands bom, 
Biult God a church, and laughd his word to fcom^. 
Skilful alike to feem devout and juft^ 
And ibb religion with a Hj fide-thruft| 
Nor thofe of learned pMlologifb^ who chafe 
A panting fjUable through time and fpace^. 
Start it at home, and hnnt it in the dark. 
To Gaol, to Greece, and into Noah*s ark f 
But fach as learning without falfe pretence, - 
The friend of truth, th'aflbctate of found fenfe. 
And fuch as in the zeal of good defign. 
Strong judgment laboring in the fcripture mine. 
All fuch as manly and great fouls produce^ 
Worthy to live, and of eternal ufc : 
Behold in thefe what leifure hours demand, 
Amafement and true knowledge hand in hand. 



252 rSTIKEHBNT; 

LuxurjT gives the mind a childiih caft. 
And while (he polifhes, perverts the tade;:^ 
Habits of clofe attention, tiiinktng heads. 
Become more rare as diffipation fpreads, 
Tillanthors hear at length, one gen'ral cry. 
Tickle and entertain us, or we die; 
The loud demand,, from year to yeaf the fame^ 
Beggars invention and makes fancy lame,. 
Till farce itfelf, mod mournfully jejune^ 
Calls for the kind affidance of a tune; 
And novels (witnefs Qv*ry month's review)' 
Belie their name, and oder nothing new. 
The mind, relaxing into needful fport,. 
Should turn ta writers of an abler fort, 
Whofe wit well manag-d, and whofe claific fiyle,, 
Give truth a ludre, and' make wifdom fnule. 
Friends (for I cannot dint, as fbme have done, 
Too rigid in my view, that name to one j 
Though one, I grant it, in the gen'rous bread 
Will ftaod advanced a Hep above the reft: 
FlowVs by that name promifcuoufly we calU 
But one, the rofej. the regent of them all)^— 
Friends, not adopted with a fchool-boy*s hade,. 
But chofen with a nice difceming tade,. 



R'STI It B M B ITT. 30 

'"V^cU-born, wcll-dtfciplin'd, who, plac'd apart 
O^rom vulgar mindsy have honour much at heart, 
.And, tho* the world may think th* ingredients odd, 
*The love of virtue, and the fear of Grod ! 
Such friends prevent what elfe would foon fucceed, 
A temper ruftic as the life we lead. 
And keep the potiih of the manners clean, 
Ajs theirs who bufUe Id the bufieft icene^ . 
\For folitude, however fome may rave, 
-Seeming a fandoary, proves a grave, 
A fepulchre in which the living lie, 
IVhere all good qualities gcow iick and die. 
I praife the Frenchman *,.his remark was (brewd—- 
How fweet, how pafling fweet, is folitude ! 
But grant me flill a friend in my retreat. 
Whom I may whifper — folitude is fweet. 
Yet neither thefe deligbts, nor aught befide 
That appetite can aik, or wealth provide, 
Can fave us always from a tedious, day. 
Or fhine the dulnefsiof £U11 life away j 
Divine communion, carefully enjoy'd. 
Or fought with energy, muft fill the void* 

• Bruyere* 



Oh iacrod irt, to vluch alone fife owe* 
lU happieft feafoosy and a peaoefi^ clofe, 
Scora'd in a world, indebted to that £barii 
For evils daily felt and kirdly bom. 
Not knowing thee, we reap, with bleeding haodi^ 
Flow'rs of rank odour upon thorny lands. 
And, while experience cautions us in vain, 
Grafp feemiag happioeis, and ^nd it pain* 
Defpondence, ielf-deferted in iser grief^ 
lioft by abandoning her own rdief. 
Murmuring and ui^patefiui discontent. 
That fconis affiidbns merafuSiy meant, 
Thofe humours tmt ai wines c^on the fret. 
Which idietiela and wearinefi beget; 
Thefe, and a thousand pbgnestfaathannt the bread, 
Fond of the phantom of an earthly reft. 
Divine commnoiott chafes, as the day 
Drives to their dens th* obedient beafla of prey* 
4See Judah*s proQus*d\ing, bereft of all, 
Drlv*n out an «xile from the face of Sanl, 
To diilant cavea the loady wand*rer ^ies. 
To feek that peace a tyrastls frown denies. 
Hear the fweet accents of his tuneful voice, 
'^Hear hioi^ overwhelmed with forrow, yet rejoice; 



mSTIBBMBUt* *^^ 

Ko womanifii ch* wdiling grief bM paft, 
Noy net k moment, iti bis royal h^rt ; 
Tis manly muiic, £\xh as ftiartyrs make, 
Suff'ring with gladnjefs f&t t Saviour's fake; 
His foul cxuitB, l^ope animates his lays^ 
The fenfe of mercy kiMles into praife^ 
And wildly f^imiUar With a li6n*s toar, 
King with ecftatic founds unheard before t 
Tis love Kke his that caifi ak>oe defeat 
The foes of mati^ o^ rnake a ddf^t fwftet. 

Religkm does nM 4«nfare ^ exclude 
Unnumtar*ii ^tea(toes hatmle&iy pnrftiM } 
To Hudy culture, and with artful toil 
To meliorate and tame the Hubborn Ibil j 
To give diflimilar yet fruitful lands 
The grain, or herb, or plant, that each demands; 
To cheriih virtue in an humble fiate. 
And (hare the joys your bounty may create ; 
To mark the matchlefs workings of the pow*r 
That fhuts within its feed the future £ow*r. 
Bid thefe in elegance of form excels 
In colour thefe, and thofe delight the fmell. 
Sends nature forth the daughter of the fkies. 
To dance on earth, and charm all human eyes; 



250 IXTIAEMBKT. 

To teacb ihex:aDvafs innocent deceit. 
Or lay the landfcape ea the fnowy iheet— 
Thefe, thefe are arts purTu'd without a crime^ 
That lea've no Hain upon the wing of time. 

Me poetfy (or, rather^ notes that aim 
Feebly and vainly at poetic fame) 
Employs^ ihut out from more important views, 
Fafl by the banks of the (low winding Oufe^ 
Content if, thus fequefter*d, I may raife 
A monitor's, though not a poefs praife. 
And while I teach an art too little known. 
To dofe life wifely, may not wafte my own. 



THE DOVES. 



I. 

Reas'nino at every ftep he treads, 

Man yet miAakes his way, 
While meaner things, whom iniUod leads. 

Are rarely known to ftray# 

One filent eve I wander*d late. 

And heard the voice of love ; 
The turtle thus addrefs'd her mate. 

And footh*d the lift'ning dove-— 

III. 
Our mutual bond of faitlT and truth. 

No time (hall diifengage 3 
Thofe bleilings of our early youth, 

Shall cheer our latefl age : 

VOL. I. S 



2S9 THE DOVES. 

IV. 

While inoocence without difguife. 

And conflancy iincere^ 
Shall fill the circles of thoie eyes. 

And mine can read them there 3 

V. 
Thofe ills that wait oa all below . 

Shall ne'er be felt by me. 
Or, gently fdt, and only fo. 

As being ihar'd with thee. 

VL 
When lightnings flaih among the trees. 

Or kites are kov'ring near, 
I fear left thee alone tisey Mxe, ^ 

And know no other fear. 

VIL 
Tis then I feel myfelf a wife, 

And prefs thy wedded fide, 
Befolv'd an union fonn*d for. life 

Death never fhall divide. 

vm. 

But, oh I if, fickle and uncbaile» 
(Forgive a tranficnt thought) 

Thou could become unkind at lail, 
^nd fcorn thy prefent lot, 



IX. 
No need of lighttungs from on high. 

Or kites with cniel beak; 
Denied th' endearments of thine eye. 

This widow'd heart wonM bre^k* 

X. 
Thus fang the fwo^ fisquefterVi Uid 

Soft as the paifing wind. 
And I recorded what I hear^^ 

A leiTon for naankiod* 



A FABLE. 



A Rayev, while with glofljr breaft 
Her new-laid eggs fhe fondly prefs*d» 
And on her wicker-work high monnted 
Her chickens prematurely counted, 
(A fault philofophers might blame 
If quite exempted from the fame) 

S2 



Enjoy 'd at cafe the genial' day ; 

Twas April as the butfikins fay. 

The legiflaturc calFd it May. 

But fuddenly.a wind as high 

As ever fwept a winter flty 

Shook the young leaves about her cars. 

And fiird her iwith ib thoufend fears, 

Lefl the rude bla(l fbould fnap the bought 

And fpread her golden hopes below. 

But juft at eve the blowing weather. 

And all her fears were hu(h*d together : 

And now, quoth poor unthinking Ralph, 

'Tis over, and the brxx>d is fafe^ 

(Por Ravens, though, as birds of omen. 

They teach both conj*rers and old women 

To tell us what 4a to befall, 

Can*t prophefy themfelves at all.) 

The morning came, when neighbour Hodge« 

Who long had mark'd her airy lodge^ 

And deflin'd all the treafure there 

A gift to his expe6ting fair, 

Climb'd like a fquirrel to his dray, 

And bore the wjorthlelk prize away* 



. A OOJf.P'A RI 90 V. 29l 

M O K A L« 

*Ti8 Pnoyidence aloue fecures, 
Ja cvciy change, both mine and your's r 
Safety coniifls not in efcape 
Fro^ dangers of a frightful ihape; 
An earthquake may be bid to fparc 
The man that's flrangled by a hair. 
Fate fteals along with filent tread^ 
Found offneH in what lead we dread. 
Frowns in the ftorm with angry brow. 
But in the funfhine flrikes the blew. 



A COMPARISON. 

The lapfe of time and rivers is the fame) 
Both fpeed their journey with a reftlefs fh-eam^ 
The iilent pace with which they lieal away 
No wealth can bribe, no pray'rs perfuade to flay -y 
Alike irrevocajble both when pad, 
And a wide ocean fwallows both at laiL 



102 



A COVFASISOW. 



Though each refemble each ia cv^ry part^ 
A difference ftrikes at length the mufihg hearty 
Streams never flow m wtan -, \diere fbreams abonsd^ 
How laaghs the land with various plenty crowD*dlj 
But time that (hoxM enrich the nobler mindy. 
Kegleded^ leaves a dreary wafie behind^ 



ANOTHER. 



▲BDRESSBD TO A TOUNG LADT. 



Sweet dre^m that winds through yonder gUtde> 

Apt emblem of a virtuous maid-* 

Silent and chade (he deals along. 

Far from the world's gay bttfy throngs 

With gentle, yet prevailing, force^ 

Intent upon her deHiai'd conrfe^ 

Graceful ahd ufeful all ihe does, 

Bleffing and blefi: wherever ihxi goes, 

PQfe-bofom*d as that wat*ry glais. 

And heav*n rcfle&ed in her face. 



YSUSf ST A> SSLKIKK^ 



2(ti> 



VERSES 



SUPFOSED Ta BE WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER SEL- 
KIRK, DURING HIS SOLITARY ABODE IN THE 
ISLAND OF JUAN FERNANDEZ. 

I. 

I AM monarch of all I furvey. 

My right there is dodo to diipute; 
From the centre all round to the fea, 

I am lord of the fowl and the brute* 
Oh^ folxtude ! where are the charms 

That fages have feen in thy face ? 
Better dwell in the mldft of alarms. 

Than reign in this horriUe place. 

II. 
I am out of humanity's reach, 

I muil finifh my journey alone^ 
Never hear the fweet mufic of ipeech} 

I flart at the ibund of my own. 
The bea^> that roam over the plain> 

My form with indifference fee; 
They are fo utiacquainted with man. 

Their tamenefs is ihocking to me» 

6 



264 VEHfiES BT ▲• 8BLKIRJU/ 

III. 

Society, friendlhip, and lovc> 

Divinely beftow'd upon man. 
Oh, had I the wings of a dove, 

How foon would I talle you again I 
My forrows I then might affuage 

In the ways of religion and truth, 
Might learn from the wifdom of age. 

And be chcer'd by the fallieS of youths 

Religion I what treafare untold 

Reiides in that heavenly worcj t 
More precious than (ilver and gold. 

Or all that this earth can aiford. 
But the found of the church-going bell 

Thefe vallies and rocks never heard, 
Ne er figh'd at the found of a knell, 

Or fmil'd when a iabbath appear*d» 

Ye winds, that have made me your fport. 

Convey to this defolate ihorc 
Some cordial endearing report 

Of A land I Ihall vifit no more. 



VBS8BS BT A. 81LKIRIU 30^ 

My friends, do they now and then fend 

A wi(h or a thought after me ? 
O tell me I yet have a friend. 

Though a friend I am never to fee. 

VI. 

How fleet is a glance of the mind ^ 

Compared with the fpced of its flight. 
The temped itfelf lags behind^ 

And the fwift winged arrows of light. 
When I think of my own native land^ 

In a moment I feem to be there ; 
But alas 1 repbUedton at hand 

Soon hurries me back to defpair. . 

VII. 
But the fea-fowl is gone to her neft. 

The beail is laid down in his lair,, 
£v*n here is a feafon of red. 

And I to my cabin repair. 
There's mercy in ewery place ; 

And mercy, encouraging thought I 
Gives even affiidion a grace. 

And recondlea man to his lot. 



t(SS 9n B. TuvmLOw, nvau. 



ON THE FROHOTION OF 

EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ;^ 

TO TBB LORD HIGH CHANCBLLORSHIF Ojr 

I. 

Round Tborlow^s head^ in early youtii^ 

And in his fportive days. 
Fair fcience pour*d the Hght of truths 

And genius flied hk rays, 

II. 
See ! with united wonder^ cried 

Th* expericmc'd and the iage^ 
Ambition in a boy fuppiied 

With all the fkill of age \ 

III. 
Difcemment, eloquence^ and grace. 

Proclaim him born to fway 
The balance in the highefl place. 

And bear the palm away. 



IV- 
The praife l)eftowVi was jwft bii4 wife j 

He fprang knpetuoua fortb^ 
Secure of conqueft where the prize 

Attends fuperior woctb. 

V. 

So the bed courfer on the pkia 
Ere yet be flarts is known. 

And does but at the goal obtaia 
What all bad deecu*d his own* 



ODE TO PEACE. 

I. 

Come, peace of mind, delightful gueA^ 
Return and make thy downy neft 

Once more in this fad heart I 
Nor riches I, nor pow'r, purfue. 
Nor hold forbidden joys in view^ 

We therefore need not part. 



11. 

Where wilt thou dwell, if not with me^ 
From av*rice and ambition free. 

And pleafure's fatal wiles ? 
For whom, alas ! doft thou prepare 
The fweets that I was wont to (hare. 

The banquet of thy fmiles ? 

HI. 

The great, the gay/fliall they partake 
The heav*n that thou alone canfl make ? 

And wilt thou quit the flream 
That murmurs through the dewy mead. 
The grove and the fequeftcr*d fhcd. 

To be a gueft with them ? . 

iV: 

For thee I panted, thee I priz*d. 
For thee I gladly facrific*d 

Whatever £ lov'd before } 
And fhall I fee thee f!art awaj. 
And, helplefs, hopelefs, hear thee fay—* 

Farewell \ we irieet no moi-e ? 



-RUHAIT VRAILVT. - OQ9 



HUMAN FRAILtY. 

« 

I. 
Weak and irrefolute is man ; 

r 

The purpofe of to day,' 
Woven with pains 'into his plaii, 
To-morrow rends away. ' 

n. 

The bow well bent, and fmart the fpring. 

Vice feems already (lain 3 
But paffion rudely fnaps the firing, 

And It rcwea again*' ' • 

IH. 

Some foe to his upright intent 

Finds out his weaker part j 
Virtue engages his afTent, 

But pleafure wins his heart. 

IV. 
'Tis here thefolly of the wife 

Through all his art we view; 
And, while his tongue the charge denies. 

His confcience owns it true. 



970 THB VOOBSN HATILtOT. 

V. 

Bound on a voyage of awful length 

And dangers little known, 
A ftranger to fuperior ftrcngth, 

Man vainly trufts his own. 

But oars alone can ne!er prev»l 

To reach the diftant coaft, 
The breath of heav*n mufl fwell the fail. 

Or all the toil is loft. 



THE MODERN PATRIOT. 

r. 

Hebellion is my theme ail day^ 

I only wifh 'twould come 
^As who knows but perhaps it may?) 

A Kttle nearer home. 

n. 

Yon roaring boys who rave and fight 

On t* other fide th' Atlantic, 
I always held them in the right. 

But moft fo when moft frantic. 



III. 
^hen lawlefs mobs infult the court. 

That man fliall be mj toafl, . 
If breaking windows be the fport, 

Who bravely breaks the mo^, 

IV. 
But oh ! for him my fancy calls 

The choicefl flow'rs (he bears. 
Who conflitutionally pulls 

Your houfe about your ears. 

V. 

Such civil broils are my delight ; 

Tho' fome folks can^t endure 'em^ 
Who Hay the mob are ooad outright, 

And that a rope Dooft cure *em. 

VL 

A rope 1 I wifli we patriots had 
Such firings for all who need 'em-*- 

What t hang a man for going mad ? 
iThen farewell Britifh freedom. 



^^i KAHBS Ot LITVLS HOTS* 



•• » 



017 OBSBKVING 



SOME NAMES OF LITTLE NOTE 



RECORDED IN TBB BI06RAPHIA BBITAN^JCA« 



Oh, fond attempt to give a deathlefs lot 
To names ignoble, born to be forgot 1 
In vain, recorded in hilloric page. 
They court the notice of a future age^ 
Thofe twinkling tiny luflres of the land 
Drop one by one from Fame's degle^ing h&nd ; 
Lethaean gulphs Teceire them as they fall, 
And dark oblivion foon abforbs them all. 

So when a child, as playful children iife, 
Has burnt to tinder a Hale laft years news. 
The flame extindt, he views the roving fire — 
There goes my lady, and there goes the fquire, 
There goes the parfon, oh ! illuftrious fpark, 
And there, fcarce lefs illuflrious, goes Qie clerk 1 



KEPORT OF A LAW CASE* ^73 

REPORT 

OF AN ADJUDGED CA8E^ NOT TO BB FOUND 
IN ANT OF THE BOOKS. 

I. 

Between Nofe and Eyes a ftrange conteft arofe— 
• The fpedactes fet them unhappily wrong 5 
The point in difpute was, as all the world knows. 
To which the faid fpe6Vacles ought to belong. 

II. 

So Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the caufe 
With a great deal of fkill, and a wig full of 
learning ; 
While chief baron Ear fet to balance the laws. 
So fam*d for his talent in nicely difcerning, 

III. 
In behalf of the Nofe, it will quickly appear, 

And your lord (hip, he faid, will undoubtedly find. 
That the Nofe has had fpe6tacles always in wear. 
Which amounts to poffeflion time out of mind. 

IV. 
Then holding the fpe6tacles up to the court— 
Your lofdfhip obfcrvcs they are made with a 
flraddle, 

VOL. I. T 



I 

As wide as the ridge of the Nofe is; in Ihort, 
DefigD'd to fit clofe to it, juft Hke a faddle. 

V. 
Again^ would jour lordfliip a EnocDeot fappofe 

(*T^s a cafe that has bappen*d^ and may be agaio) 
That the vilage or coantenance had not a aoie I 
Pray who woa*d, or who oou'd* wear ffe^cles 
then? 

VL 

On the whole, it appears— «nd my argument ihows. 

With a reafoning the court wiU never coiideaui» 

Hiat tbel^^ades plainly were made for the Nofe, 

And the Nofe was as plainly intended for them. 

VII. 
Thea^ fliiftlfig his fide, fas a lawyer knows hew) 

He pleaded again in behalf of the Eyes : 
But what were his arguments few people know, 
. fbrtheeourtdkiaotthinktheywereequaUywire. 

VIII. 
So fais lord(hip decreed, with a grave foiemn tone, 

Decifive and clear, without one if or but — 
That, whenever the Nofe put bis fpe^cles on. 
By day- light or candle-Bght*->£yes (hould be 
fhutl 



BVKirnffo Ldm0 MAA9Vi3B£ii*t t,vtmjatt. 



ON THE BURNING OV 

LORD MANSFIELD'S LIBRARY^ 

TOOBTBBR WITH HIS MS8. 
BY THE MOBy IK TUB MONTH OF JV^A X7&Si>» 

I. 

"So then — ^the Vandals of our hie. 

Sworn foes to fenfe and law, 
Have burnt to duft a nobler pile 

Than ever Roman faw! 

II. 
And MuRBAT %lis o*er Pope and Swifl, 

And many a treafure more, 
The well-judg*d purchafe and the gift 

That grac'd his lettered ftore. 

in. 

'^T/teir pages mangled, burnt, and torn. 

The lofs was A/x ahn^ ; 
But ages yet to come fhall moura 

The burning of /ih own. 

T 2 



376 B.URNINO LORD MAKSFI£LD*8 LIBHAlLf . 

ON THE SAME. 

I. 
WsnsK wit and genius meet their doom 

In all devoaring flame, 
They tell us of the fate of Rome^ 

And bid us fear the fame. 

II. 
O'er Murray's lofs the mufes wept, 

They felt the rude alarm. 
Yet blefs*d the guardian care that kept 

His facred head from harm. 

III. 
There mem'ry, like the bee that's fed 

From Flora's balmy ftore. 
The quinteflence of all he read 

Had treafur'd up before. 

IV. 
The lawlcfs herd, with fury blind, 

Have done him cruel wrong 5 
The flow'rs are gone — ^but ftill we find 

The honey on his tongue. 



HTFOCEISY DBTSCTBD. "^77 

THE 

LOVE OF THE WORLD REPROVED; 

HYPOCRISY DETECTED** 

Thus fays the prophet of the Turk- 
Good mufTuIman, abflain from pork; 
There is a part in ev'ry fwine 
No frieDd or follower of mine 
May tafle, whatever his inclination^ 
On pain of excommunication. 
Such Mahomet's niyflerious charge. 
And thus he left the point at large. 
Had he the iinful part exprefs*d. 
They might with fafety eat the reft ; 
But for one piece they thought it hard 
From the whole hog to be debarred. 
And fet their wit at work to find 
What joint the prophet had in mind. 

* It may be proper to inform the reader that this piece has 
already appeared in pgnt^ having foynd its way, though with 
fome unnccelTary additions by an unknown hand^ into the Leeds 
Journal^ without the author's privity. 



Much controverfy flraight arofe— 
Thefe choofe the back, the belly thofe y 
Jiff fome *tii confiitently ftid 
He meant not to forbid the head $ 
While others at that dodrine rai]^ 
And pioufly prefer the tail. 
Thus, confcience fijeed from e,\r*xy dog,. 
Mahometans eat up the hog. 

You laugh— ^*tis well.-^The tale applied^ 
May make you laugh on t*other fide. 
Renounce the world — the preacher cries.. 
We do*-^a multitude replies. 
While one as innocent regards 
A fnug and friendly game at cards y 
And one, whatever you may fay, 
Can fee no evil in a play; 
Some love a concert, or a race ; 
And others— (hooting^ and the chafoo 
Revil*d and lov*d, renounc*d and follow*d>. 
Thus, bit by bit, the world is fwallowU j 
Each, thinks his neighbour makes too free> 
Yet likes a ilice as well as he ; 
With fophiftry their fauce they fweeteUj^ 
Till quite from tail to fqout 'tis eat^n^ 



•* 



^4^-' .,::£^ Sf/^S^^z^^. 



TUB mzr i^No TiftB KDiw* 2fg 

THE LILY AND THE ROSE, 

h 

The nymph muft loie her female ftiend^. 

If more admir*d than fte— 
But where will fierce contentioo en^i 

If flowers can difagr^ ? 

II. 
A^ithin the g»rden*s peaceful fcene 

Appear-d two lovely foes, 
Afpiring to the rank of qneen— * 

The Lily and the Rofe. 

III. 
The Rofe foon redden'd into rage. 

And, fwelliDg with difdain^ 
AppeaFd to many a poet's page 

To proYC her right to reign. 

IV. 
The Lily's height b^fpoke codamand-»-« 

A fair imperial flowV 3 
She feem*d del%n*d for Flora's hand^ 

The fceptre of her poir*n 






280 IDEM LATJNB REPPITVM. 

V. 
This civil bick'ring and debate 

The goddefs cbanc*d to hear. 
And flew to fave, ere yet too late^ 

The pride of the parterre — 

VI. 
Your's is, fhc faid, the nobler hue^ 

And your*s the flatelier mien ; 
And, till a third furpaffes you, 

Let each be deem'd a queen « 

vir. 

Thus, footh'd and reconcil'd, each feeks 

The faireft BritiOi fair j 
The feat of empire is her cheeks. 

They reign united there^ 



IDEM LATINE REDDITUM. 

I. 
Hbu inimicitias quoties parit aemula forma^ 
^ Quam raro pulchrae, pulchra placere poteil ? 
Sed fines ultr^ folitos difcordia tendit> 
Cum flores ipfos bili6.et ira movent. 



IDEM LATINE KEDDITUM. 281 
II. 

Hortus abi dulces praebet tacitofquc rccefius, 

Se rapit in partes gens animoia duas ; 
Hie iibi regales Amaryllis Candida cultus^ 

Illic purpureo vindicat ore Rofa. 

III. 
Ira Rofam et meritis quaefita fuperbia tangunt, 

Maltaque ferventi vix cohibenda linii, 
Dum fibi fautorum ciet undique nomina vat^m, 

Jufquc fuum, multo carmine fulta, probat. 

IV. 
Altior emicat ilia, ct celfo vertice nutat, 

Ceu flores inter non babitura parem, 
Faftiditque alios, et nata videtur in ufus 

Imperii, fceptrum. Flora quod ipfe gerat. 

V. 
Nee Dea non fenfit civilis murmura rixae, 

Cui curae eft pidas pandere runs opes. 
Deliciafque fuas nunquam non prompta tueri. 

Dam licet et locus eft, ut tueatur, adeft, 

VI. 
Et tibi forma datur procerior omnibus, inquit^ 

Et tibi, prihcipibus qui folet cfle, color, 
£t donee yincat quaedam formoiior ambas> 

Et tibi reginae nomen> €t efto tibi. 



993^ Ta# mGliT1NQAK9 

VII. 
His ubt ibdatos furor dl, petit utraqae nymgkuum^ 

QualeiQ iot^r Veneres Aoglia fola parit ; 
HancpeD^simperiuoi eil,DLbil optant amplias,hu|f|« 

Regpant in nitiiliSy et fine lite, geius. 



NIGHTINGALE and GLOW-WORMi 

A Nightingale, that all day long 
Had cheer*d the village with his ibng^ 
Nor yet at eve his bote fafpeoded. 
Nor yet when eventide was ended^ 
Began to feel, as well he might. 
The keen demands of appetite ; 
When, looking eagerly around. 
He fpied far ofF,.npon the ground, 
A fomething ihining in the dark. 
And knew the glow-worm by his fpark;. 
So,, flooping down from hawthorn top, . 
He thought to put him in his crop; 
The worm, aware of his intent. 
Harangued hfaa thus> right eloqueot*— 



Bid jofiadmire my larnp^ quoth he^^ 
As much as I your minftrelfy, 
You would abhor to.do me wrongs 
As much as I to fpoil yjour fong> 
For *twas the fdf-fame pow'r ddvine 
Taught you to fiug, and me to Bnney 
That you with mufic^ I with light. 
Might beautify and cheer the night.. 
The fongfter heard his fliort oration^ 
And, warbling out his approbation. 
Released him>. as my ilory tells> 
And found a fupper fomewhere elfe. 

Hence jarring fedaries may learn 
Their real intVeft ta difcem 5 
That brother ihould not war with brother,, 
And worry and devour each other j 
But iing and Ihine by fweet conient, 
Till life's poor tranfient night is fpent, 
Refpe^ng in each other's cafe 
The gifts of nature and of graee. 

Thofe Chrifdans beft deferve the name 
Who fludiouily make peace their aim; 
Peace, both the duty and the prize 
Of him that creeps and him that flie^,. 



-'^ 



^84 ON A GOLDFINCH. 

V O T U M. 

O MATUTiNi rores, auraeque falubres, 
O ncmora, et laetae rivis felicibus herbae, 
Graminei colles^ et atnaenae in vallibus umbrae I 
Fata modo dederint qaas dim in rure patemo 
Delicias, procul arte, procul formidine novi, 
Quam vellem ignotus, quod mens mea Temper 

avebat, 
Antelarem proprium placidam expedare fene6tam. 
Turn demtim^ exa6tis non infeliciter annis, 
Sortiri taciturn lapidem, aut fub cefpite condi ? 



ON A GOLDFINCH 

STARVED TO DEATH IN HIS CAGE. 

I. 

Time was when I was free as air. 
The thiftles downy feed my fare. 

My drink the morning dew 5 
I perch'd at will on ev'ry fpray, 
My form genteel, my plumage gay. 

My drains for ever new. 



TXX riNX*APPLB AND BEB. 285 

II. 

But gaudy plumage^ fprightly flrain^ 
And form genteel, were all ia vain. 

And of a traniient date 5 
For^ caught and cag'd, and fiarv'd to death. 
In dying fighs my little breath 

Soon pafs'd the wiry grate. 

III. 
Thanks, gentle fwain, for all my woe«, 
And thanks for this efFedual clofe 

And cure of ev*ry ill ! 
More cruelty could none exprels ; 
And I, if you had (hown me lefs. 

Had been your prisoner flill. 



THE PINE-APPLE AND TH^. BEE, 

The pine-apples, in triple row. 
Were backing hot, and all in blow^ 
A bee of moft difceming tafte 
Perceived the fragrance a« he pafs'd, 



269 T«K TJim-Afttt Altiy att. 

On eager wing the fpoiler came. 
And fearch'd for crannies in the frame, 
Urg'd his attempt on ev'ry fide. 
To evVy pane h\s trunk applied j 
But fiiU in vain, the frame was tight. 
And only pervious to the light 3 
Thus having wailed hdtf the day. 
He trimm*d his flight another way. 
Methinks, I iaid, ill thee I find 
The fin and madne& of mankind. 
To joys forbidden man afpires. 
Con fumes his foul with vain defires^)l 
Folly the fpring of his puffuit, 
And difappointment all the fruit. 
While Cynthio ogles as (he paffes 
The nymph between two chariot glafles. 
She is the pine-apple, and he 
The filly unfuccefsful bee. 
The maid, who views with pehfive air 
The ftiow-glafs fraught with glitt'ring ware. 
Sees watches, bracelets, rings, and locketi. 
But fighs at thought of empty pockets 5 
Like thine, her appetite is keen. 
But ah, the cruel glafs between I 



 



BOKACB. 300K II. 001 IB. Mf 

^Our dear delights are often fucb, 
!£xpo8*d to view, but not to toncb: 
The fight our foolifli heart inHames, 
We long for pine-apples in framps : 
With hopekfs wtih one looks and lingers 9 
One breaks the glafs and cuts his fingers^^ 
.But they whom troth and wifdom lead^ 
Can gather honef froui a weed. 



HORACE. Book the 4id. Ode the 10th. 

I. 
^BCBivjB, dear friend> the troths I teacb^ 
So (halt thou live beyond the reach 

Of adverfe Fortune's pow'r 5 
Not always tempt the difiant deep^ 
Nor always timorooily creep 

Along the treach'roos (hore. 

11. 
He, that holds faft the golden mean, 
And lives contentedly between 
The little and the gr^t^ ' 



288 ROBACE. BOOK II. ODE X. 

Feels not the wants that pinch the poor. 
Nor plagues that haunt the rich man^s door, 

ImbittVing all his ftate. 

III. 
The tailed pines feel inoft the pow'r 
Of wintry blafts 5 the loftieft tow'r 

Comes heaviefl to the ground } 
The bolts, that fpare the mountain's fide> 
His cloud-capt eminence divide. 

And fpread the ruin round. 

IV. 
The well-inforra'd pbilofopher 
Rejoices with an wholefome fear. 

And hopes, in fpite of pain ', 
If winter bellow from the north. 
Soon the fweet fpring comes dancing forth, 

And nature laughs again. 

V. 
What if thine heav n be overcaft. 
The dark appearance will not laftj 

Expe^ a brighter fky. 
The Gk)d that firings the filver bow 
Awakes fometimes the mufes too. 

And lays his arrows by. 



'I 



A RBFLBCTIOir. ^30 



VI. 

If hiodrances obftrud thy vraj, 
Thy magnaoimity difplay. 

And Jet thy ftrength be feen 5 
But oh ! if Fortune fill thy fail 
With mo];e than a propitious gale. 

Take half thy canvals in* 



A REFLECTION 

ON THE FOREGOING O D B. 

And is this all } Can reafon do no more- 

Than bid me (hun the deep and dread the ihore ? 

Sweet moralift 1 afloat on lifers rough fea. 

The Chriftian has an art unknown to thee : 

He holds no parley with unmanly fears ; 

Where duty bids he confidently fleers. 

Faces a thoufand dangers at her call, 

Andy trufiing in his God, furmounts them all. 

VOL. I. U 



TRANSLATIONS FROM VINCENT BOURNE- 

L THE GLOW-WORM. 

L 
Beneath the hedge^ or neariiie ftream, 

A worm is khown to ilra j ; 
That fhows by ni^t a lacid beam. 

Which difappears by day. 

XL 
Difputes have been^ and ^11 preva^ 

From whence his raj« ^loceed $ 
Some give that honour to his tail. 

And others to his head. 

III. 
BiU tJiis is fare*-<the hand of mighjt. 

That kindles up the ikies^ 
Gives iim a modicum of light 

Proportioo'd to his iize* 

IV. 
Perhaps indulgent nature meant^ 

By fuch a lamp beftow*d. 
To bid the traveler, as he went* 

Be careful whepe he trod : 



V. 

Nor crufli a worip, whofe ufeful light 

Might fcrve, however fmall, 
To ibew a flamhling ftone by night. 

And fave him from a fall. 

VI. 
Whate'erflje meant, .this -truth divine 

Is legible and plain, 
'Tis pow!r almighty bids him ihine. 

Nor bids him thine in 'Vain. 

VII. 
Ye proud and wealthy, let this thei;ne 

Teach humbler thoughts to you^ 
"Since fuch a reptile has its gem, 

And'boafis its {plendour tpo. 



II. THE JACKDA.W. 

I. 

There is a bird who, by his coat. 
And by the hoarfeoefs of his note. 
Might be fuppos d a crowj 

-U 2 



292 TBB JACKDAW. 

A great frequenter of the church, 
Where, biihop-likey he finds a perch. 

And dormitory too. 

IL 
Above the fleeple fhines a plate. 
That turns and turns, to indicate 

From what point blows the weather. 
Look up — ^your brains begin to fwim, 
Tis in the clouds — that pleafes him. 

He choofes it the rather. 

III. 
Fond of the fpeculative height. 
Thither he wings his airy flight. 

And thence fecurely fees 
The buftle and the raree-lhow 
That occupy mankind below. 

Secure and at his eafe. 

IV. 
You think, no doubt, he fits and mufes 
On future "broken bones and bruifes. 

If he fhould chance to fall. 
No ', not a fingle thought like that 
Employs his philofophic pate, 

Or troubles it at all. 



THE CRICKET* 293 

V. 

He fees, that this great roundabout— 
The world, with all its motley rout. 

Church, army, phyfic, law. 
Its cuftoms, aod it*s bus^neiTes, 
Is no concern at all of his. 

And fays — what fays he ?•— Caw. 

VI. 
Thrice happy bird 1 I too have feen 
Much of the vanities of men ^ 

And, lick of having feen *em. 
Would cheerfully thefe limbs refign 
For fuch a pair of wings as thine. 

And fuch a head between *em. 



III. THE CRICKET. 

I- . 

Little inmate, full of mirths 
Chirping on my kitchen hearth, 
Wherefoe^er be thine abode. 
Always harbinger of good, 

3 



^^ THE CRIi^KET. 

Pay me for thy warm retreat 
With a fong more foft and' fweet;. 
In return thou' ihalt receive 
Such a ilrain as I can give. 

II. 

Thos thy praife fhalt be exprefb,. 

m 

Inoffenfive^ welcome gueft ! 
While the rat is on the fcout. 
And the moufe with curious fnout,. 
With what vermin elfe infe(f 
Ev'ry di(h, and fpoil the beft^ 
Friiking thus before the fire. 
Thou hafl all thine hearths deiire; 

Ilk 

Though in voice and ihape they be 
Formed as if akin to thee, 
Thou furpaflel^y happier ^r, 
Happieft grafshoppers that are y 
Their's is but a fummer's fong, 
Thine endures the winter long,. 
Unimpair'd and (hrill afnd clear,. 
Melody throughout the year. 



TAB PA&Rov. agts 

IV. 
Neither nighty nor dawn aS day. 
Puts a period to thy play: 
Sing then*— and extend thf fpan. 
Far beyond the date of man. 
Wretched man^ whc^e years are fpent 
In repining difcontent. 
Lives not^ aged though he be^ 
Half a fpan, comparU with thee. 



IV. THE PARROT. 

I. 

In painted plumes fuperbly drefl, 
A native of the i^orgeous eafi. 

By many a billow toiil y 
Poll gains at length the Britifh fhore^ 
Part of the captain's precidos flope— 

A preient to his toaft. 

IL 
Belinda's maids are foon preferred 
To teach him now and then a word^ 

As PoU caa mailer it> 



2g0 THE FARSOr. 

But 'tifi her own important charge 
To qualify him more at large. 

And make him quite a wit. 

III. 
Sweet Poll ! his doating mUhefs cries. 
Sweet Poll I the miinic binl replies^ 

And calls aloud for fack. 
She next inftrads him in the kifsf 
Tis now a little one^ like Mik, 

And now a heartj fmack. 

IV. 
At lirft he aims at what he hears ; 
And, lift'ning clofe with both his ear?,. 

Juil catches at the found ; 
But foon articulates aloud, 
Much to th* amufement of the cn^wd. 

And fluns the neighbours round. 

V. 
A querulous old woman's roice 
His hum'rous talent next employs— •^ 

He fcolds and gives the lie. 
And now he fings, and now is fick — 
Here Sally, Sufan, come, come quick ^ 

Poor Poll is like to die I 



THE SHUUBBBRT^ 2^7 

vr. 

Belinda and her bird ! 'tis rare 

To meet with fucb a well matched pair^ 

The language and the tone^ 
Each charader in evVy part 
Sufiain*d with fo much grace and art. 

And both in unifon. 

vir. 

When children firfl begin to fpell. 
And flaramer out a fyllable. 

We think them tedious creatures j 
But difficulties foon abate, 
When birds are to be taught to prate. 

And women are the teachers. 



THE SHRUBBERY 

WKITTEN IK A TIME OF AFFLICTION. 

I. 

Oh, happy ihades — to me unbleft I 
Friendly to peace, but not to met 

How ill the fcene that offers reft. 
And heart that cannot reft, agree I 



IL 

This glafly Hream, that fpreadisg pine^. 

Thofe alders quiv ring to the breeze. 
Might footh a foul lefs hurt than mine,. 

And pleafe, if any thing could j^leafe. 

IIL 

But fix*d unalterable care- 
Foregoes not what (be feek within> 

Shows the fame fadnefs ev'ry where. 
And flights the feafon. and- the fcene*. 

IV. 

For all that pleas'd in wood or lawn,. 

While peace poflefs'd tbcfc fil«nt bow'rs, 
Her animating fmile withdrawn, 

Has lofl its beauties and its powVs. 

V. 

The faint or moralift (hould tread^ 

This mofs-grown alley^ muiing, ilow^ 

They feek, like me, the fecret fliade. 
But not, like me, to nourish' woe I 



THift Winter kosegay. ligg 

Me fruitful fceoes and prorpe6fs waflie 

Alilce admoniffi hoi to tostr^i^ 
Thefe tell me of enjoyments paft, 

Andthofe of forrows yet to come; 



THE WINTER NOSEGAY.. 

I.. 
What nature,, alas \. has denied 

To the delicate growth of our iilfc^ . 
Art has in a meafure fupplied,. 

And winter is deck'd witL a fmile. 
See, Mar/y what beauties I bring 

From the feelter of that ftuaf ihed, 
Where the flowVfr have the charms of the fpring^. 

Though abroad they are frozen and dead. 

II. 
Tis a bow'r of Arcadian fweets> 

Where Flora is ftill' in her prime, 
A fortrefs, to which ihe retreats 

From the cruel afllaults of the cltme.. 



dOO MUTUAI^ FOKBEAEANC^r 

While earth wears a mantle of fnow, 
Thefe pinks are as freih and as gay 

As the fairefl and fweeted that blow 
On the beautiful bofom of May. 

III. 
See how they have fafely furviv'd 

sThe frowns of a Iky fo feverc 3 
Such Mary*8 true love, that has liv*d 

Through many a turbulent jear. 
The charms of the late blowing rofe 

Seem grac'd with a livelier hue. 
And the winter of forrow beil (hows 

The truth of a friend fuch as you. 



MUTUAL FORBEARANCE 

NECESSARY TO THE HAPPINESS OF THE MARRIED 

STATE* 

The lady thus addrefs'd her fpoufe— 
What a mere dungeon is this houfe ! 
By no means large enough ; and, was it. 
Yet this dull room^ and that dark clofet— « 



MUTVAl. FOSBEARANCC; 301 

Tbofe hangings, with thctr worn-out graces. 
Long beards, long nofes, and pale faces- 
Are fuch an antiquated fcene, 
They overwhelm me with the fpleen ! 
Sir Humphrey, (hooting in tl^ dark. 
Makes anfwer quite beiide the mark : 
No doubt, my dear, I bade him come. 
Engaged myfelf to be at home. 
And (hall expeGt him at the door 
Precifely when the clock (Irikes four. 

You are fo deaf, the lady cried, 
{And rals*d her voice, and frown'd befide) 
You are fo fadly deaf, my dear, 
What (hall I do to make you hear ? 

Difmifs poor Harry! be replies ; 
Some people are naore nice than wife— 
For one (light trefpafs all this ftfr > 
What if he did ride whip and fpur, 
Twas but a mile — your fav'rite horfe 
WiU never look one hair the worfe. 

Well, I proteft 'tis pad all bearing — 
Child ! I am rather hard of hearing—* 
Yes, truly — one muft fcream and bawl— 
I tell you, you can't bear at all i 



Then, with .^ v^ ^cc^ftog loy^ 
No malt^ }£ you he^ of np. 

Alas! and is don^ic ftrife, 
That forcft iU .of hiwao li^e, 
A plague fo HttJjB ^ Ijc fear'fU 
As to be wfip<K>nl7 iQcwr*<i9 
To gratifjr a fr^t^ l^flipr^. 
On ev'ry trivial pi;<9j^QG9(tion ? 
The kindeft and the iiappieft pair 
Will find occafioQ to^fodmar; 
And fometbing, G(¥ky day they ViyQt. 
To pitjr, Qod, jgi^vbfi^s, forgive. 
But if infirmities ^t ^^H 
In common to the lot pf all — 
A blemiih or a fei^e jinpair 4rrr 
Are crimes fo Uttle to be/par*d^ 
Then farewell ail t^t muft cre^p 
The comfort af the wedded fta.t^s 
^Indead of bara3iPQj7> /t.i^ i9X 
And tumuh;> jpd inte^il^ ^ar. 

The love tM obeers Jfife*s JU t^ft flage, 

'Proof agaiaft iieknofs aod qU age, 

^refcrvld by yiiituc from declfJi^n^ 

Becomes not weary of aUentiicuEi^ 

J 






TO 13WB ajwr. v», NjBflFwrw- 9Sfi 

5ut lives, when that exterior grace 
Which firft infpir*d the ^ame decays. 
'Tis gentle, delicate, «nd kiod^ 
^o faults compa (Senate or -bHnd, 
And will with fympathy endor-e 
Thofe evils it would glad^j cure: 
But angry, coarfc, and harfli expr^ffioB 
Shows love to be. a mere profeflion j 
Proves that the heart is none^of hk, 
vOr foon expels him if it 4g« 



TO THE REV. MR. NEWTON. 

AN INVITATION INTO Tftp COUNTRy- 

I. 

The f wallows in their torpid ft^tc 

Compofe their ufeleis w'u\^ 
And bees in bives ^s idly wait 

The call of *arly ^ring. 



804 TO TfiE KEVr MB. NEWTON*. 

II. 

The keenefl froft that biods the dream, . 

The wildefl wind that blows. 
Are neither felt oor fear*d by them. 

Secure of their repoie. 

III. 

Bat man, all feeling and awake. 

The gloomy fcene furvcys ; 
With prefent ills his heart mud ake. 

And pant for brighter days. 

IV. 

Old winter, halting o erthe mead,' 

Bids me and Mary mpu/n ; % 

But lovely fpriog peeps o*er his head. 
And whifpers your return. 

V. 

Then April, with her fifier May, 
Shall chafe him from the bow'rs. 

And weave frefli garlands evVy day. 
To crown the fmiling hours. 



A TRAirSLATIOk PROM I^BIOR. 305 

VI. 

And, if a tear, that fpeaks regret 

Of happier times, appear, 
A gliropfe of joy, that we have met, 

.iShall ibine, and dry the tear« 



TRANSLATION OF PRIOR'S 
CHLOE AND EUPHELIA. 

T. 

Merc A TOR, vigiles oculos ut fallere poffit, 
Nomftie fub ficto trans mare mlttit opes ; 

Lene fonat liquidumque meis Euphelia chordis, 
Sed folam exoptant te, mea vota> Chloe. 

11. 
Ad fpeculum omabat nitidos Euphelia criner. 

Cum dixit niea lux, beus, cane> fume lyram. 
Namque lyram juxta politam cum carmine vidit^ 
Suave quidcm carmen dulcifonamque lyram, 
VOL. I. X 



r 



3Cff B DAD ICE A. 

III. 

Fila lyrae vocemqtie paro, fufpiria furgunt, 
£t mifcent numeris murmura inaeila m&a, 

Dumque tuae memoro laudes^ Eupbelia, formas, 
Tota anima intere^ pendet ab ore Chloes/ 

IV. 

Subrabet ilia pudore, et contrahit altera frontem. 
Me torquct mea mens confcia, pfallo, tremoj 

Atque Cupidine^ dixit Dea cinda corona, 
Heu 1 fallendi artem quam didicere paruca. 



B O A D I C E A: 

AN ODE. 
L 

When the British warrior queen, 
Bleeding from the Horaan rods. 

Sought, with an indignant mien, 
Couhfel of her country's gods» 



^ 



aoAi»<eB>x» Mf 



n. 

'Sage beneatli the fpreading oak 
Sat the Druid^ ho^y chief $ 

£v'iy burning word be fpoke 
Full of rage, and full of grief, 

IIL 

Princefs ! if our aged eyes 

Weep upon thy matchlefs wrongs, 
'Tis becaufe refentoent ties 

All the terrors of our tongues. 

IV. 

•Rome fhall perifh — write that word 
In the blood that {he has fpUt5 

Perifh, hopelefs and abhorr'd. 
Deep in ruin as in guilt. 

V. 

Rome, for empire far renown'd. 
Tramples on a thoufand dates; 

Soon her pride fhall kifs the groand— • 
Hark ! the Gaul is at her gates I 

X 2 



306 BOADICBA* 

VI. 

Other Romans (hall arife, 
Heedlefs of a foI(|ier*s name ; 

Sounds^ not arms, fliall win the priz^-** 
Harmony the path to fame. 

VII. 

Then the progeny that fprings 
From the forefts of our land, 

Arm'd with thunder, clad with wings. 
Shall a wider world command. 

viir. 

Regions Caefar never knew 

Thy pofterity Ihall fway. 
Where his eagles never flew. 

None invincible as they. 

IX. 

Such the bard's prophetic words. 

Pregnant with celefiial fire. 
Bending, as he fwept the chords 

Of his fwect but awful lyre. 



H E R O I S It. dQ9 



X. 

8be^ with all a monarch's pride. 
Felt them in her bofom glow} 

llufh*d to battle, fought, and died ; 
Dying, hurl'd them at the foe; 

XL 

RufHans, pitilefs as proud, 

Heav'n awards the vengeance due> 
Empire is on us beftow'd, 

Shame and ruio wait for you* 



HEROISM. 

There was a time when iEtna's filent fire 
Slept unperceiv'd, the mountain yet entire j 
When, confcious of no danger from below. 
She towYd a cloud-capt pyramid of fnow. 
No thunders ihook with deep intef^ine found 
The blooming groves that girdled her around. 



dl-O SKRaiSMT. 

Her undaous olives, and her purple vines, 
(Unfelt the fury of thofe burfting mines) 
The peafant's hopes> and not in vain, affur'd,. 
In peace upon her Hoping fides matar'd. 
When OB a day, like that of the laft doom, 
A conflagration lab'ring in her womb. 
She teem*d and heav'd with an infernal birth. 
That ihook the circling feas and folid earth. 
Dark and voluminous the vapours rife. 
And hang their horrors in the neighb'ring ikies. 
While through the ftygian veil that blots the day,. 
In dazzling Hreaks, the vivid lightnings play. 
But, oh ! what mufe, and in what powVs of fong,. 
Can trace the torrent as it burns along ? 
Havoc and devaftation in the van> 
It marches o'er the proftrate works of man — 
Vines, olives, herbage, forefts, difappear. 
And all the charms of a Sicilian year. 

Revolving feafons, fruitlcfs as they pafs, 
See it.an uninform'd and idle mafs^ 
Without a foil t* invite the tiller's care> 
Or bla^e that might redeem it from defpair. 
Yet tinae at length (what will not tiqae achieve?) 
Clothes it with earth, and bids the produce live^ 



HSSOXSM. 9X^ 

Once more the fpiry myrtle crowns the glade^ 
And rumioatiog flocks enjoy the ibade. 
Oh> blifs precarious, and un^fe retreat3> . 
Oh charming paradife of fhort-liv'd fweets I 
The felf-fame gale that wafts the fragrance round 
Brings to the diflant ear a fallen found -,., 
iVgain the mountain feels th* imprifon*d fp$. 
Again pours ruin on the vale below* 
Ten thoufand fwains the wafted fcene deplore. 
That only future ages can reftorq. 

Ye monarchsy whom the lure of honour 4raws> 
Who write in blood the merits of your c^ufe. 
Who flrike the blow, then plead your own de- 
fence — 
Glory yoar aim, but juiiice your pretence ', 
Behold in ^tna*8 emblenoatic. Sres 
The mifchiefs your ambitious pride iofpires 1 

Faft by the ftream that bounds your juft domain^ 
Aod tells you where ye have a right to reign, 
A nation dwells, not envious of .your throne. 
Studious of peace, their neighbours', and their own-r 
Ill-fated race ! how deeply muft.they rue 
Their only crime, vicinity to you ! 



Sij H it R O I 8 H. 

The trnmpet fonnds, your legions fwartn abroad. 
Through the ripe harved Ires their dedin^d road j 
At cv'ry 4lep beneath thetr feet they tread 
The life of multitades^ a nation's bread t 
Earth feems a garden in its lovelieft dreft 
Before them, and behind a wildernefs. 
Famine, and pellilence, her firll-bom fon. 
Attend to finiih what the fword begun -, 
And, echoing praifes fucb as fiends might earn^ 
And folly pays, refound at your return ; 
A calm fucceeds — ^but plenty, with her train 
Of heart-felt joys, fucceeds not foon agait>. 
And years of pining indigence mufl ihow 
What fcourges are the gods that rule below. 

Yet man, laborious man, by flow degrees, 
(Such is his thirft of opulence and eafe) 
Plies all the finews of indufirious toil, 
Gleans up the refufe of the gen*ral fpoil, 
Rebuilds the towers that fmok*d upon the plain,. 
And the fun gilds the tbining fpires again. 

Increaiing commerce and reviving art 
Renew the quarrel on the conqu'ror's part j 
And the fad leilba mufl l)e Jearn*d once more^ 
That wealth within is ruin at the door. 

3 



HERaissr. 319 

"What are ye, monarchs, laurel'd heroes, fay- 
But iEtnas of the fufTring world ye fway? 
Sweet nature, ftripp*d of her embroider'd robe^ 
Deplores the Wafled regions of her globe 5 
And (lands a witnefs at truth's awful bar. 
To prove you, there, deftroyers as ye are. 

Oh, place me in fome heav*n-prote6ted iffc. 
Where peace, and equity, and freedom froile-j. 
Where no volcano pours his fiery flood,. 
No crefted warrior dips his plume in blood ; 
Where pow'r fecures what induftry has won; 
Where to fucceed is not to be undone ; 
A land that dlRant tyrants hate in vain. 
In Britain's ifle, beneath a Georges reign 1 



^\4 THE POET, THE OTSTERy 



THE POET, THE OYSTER, AND 
SENSITIVE PLANT. 

An Oyfter, call upon the fhore. 
Was heardy though never heard before,. 
Complaining in a fpeech well w<»:ded. 
And worthy thus to be recorded — 

Ab> haplefs wretch ! condemned to dwel^ 
For ever in my native ihell 5 
Ordain*d ta move when others pleafe^ 
Not for my own content or eafe 5 
But tofs'd and buffeted about. 
Now in the water and now out, 
Twere better to be born a ftone, 
Of ruder fhape, and feeling none^ 
Than with a tendernefs like mine^ 
And fenfibilities fo fine I 
I envy that unfeeling fhrub, 
Faft-rooted againft ev'ry rub. 
The plant he meant grew not far oflf^ 

And felt the fneer with fcorn enough; 

I 



AMD SENSITIVE PL^NT. 315 

Was hurt, difgufled, mortifiedj, 
And with afperitj replied. 

When, cry the botanifls — and ftare — 
Did plants call'd fenfitive grow there ? 
No matter when — a poet's mufe is 
To make them grow juft where £he choofes* 

You, fhapelefe nothing in a di(h — 
You, that are but almofl a fi(h— 
I fcorn your coarfe infinuation. 
And have moH plentiful occaiion 
To wifli myfelf the rock I view. 
Or fuch another dolt as you : 
For many a grave and learned clerk,. 
And many a gay unletter*d fpark. 
With curious touch examines me. 
If I can feel as well as he 5 
And, when I bend, retire, and (brink, 
Says — ^Well, 'tis more than one would think ^ 
Thus life is fpent (oh, fie upon'tl) 
In being touch'd, and crying— Don't 1 

A poet, in his evening walk, 
O'erheard and check'd this idle talk. 
And your fine ienfc, he faid, and youvs^ 
Whatever evil it endures,. 



3}6 THB VOBT, TffB OTST£S, SeC^t 

Defervcs not, if fo foon offended. 
Much to be pitied or commended. 
Difputes^ though fhort, are far too 1ong> 
Where both alike arc in the wrong j 
Your feelings, in their full amount^ 
Arc all upon your own account. 

, You, in your grotto-work encIos*dy 
Complain of being thus exposed; 
Yet nothing feel in that roiTgh coat. 
Save when the knife is at your throat. 
Wherever driv*n by wind or tide. 
Exempt from evVy ill befide. 

And, as for you, my Lady Squeamiihy 
Who reckon ev ry touch a blemifh. 
If all the plants that can be found 
Embelliihing the fcene around 
Should droop and wither where they grow> 
You would not feel at all — not yop. 
The nobleft minds their virtue prove 
By pity, fympathy, and love j 
Thefe, thefe arc feelings truly fine. 
And prove their owner half divine. 

His cenfure reached them as he dealt it, 
An4each by fbrinking ihow'd be fdt it* 



ON MY mother's FICTURB. 31/ 



ON THE RECEIPT OP 

MY MOTHER'S PICTURE 

OUT OF NORFOLK, 
THE GIFT OF MT COUSIN ANN RODHAM. 

Oh that thoie lips had lianguage ! IJfe has pafs'd 

With me bat roughly fince I heard thee laft. 

Thofe lips are thine — thy own fweet fmiles I fee. 

The fame that oft in childhood folaced me 5 

Voice only fails, elfe, how diftinft they fay, 

" Grieve not, my child, chafe all thy fears away I'* 

The meek intelligence of thofe dear eyes 

(Blefi be the art that can immortalize. 

The art that baffles time s tyrannic claim 

To quench it) here (hines on me A\\l the fame. 

Faithful remembrancer of one fo dear, 
Oh welcome gueft, thopgh unexpeded, here I 
Who bidd*ft me honour with an artlefs fong, 
Affe£donate, a mother lod fo long. 
I will obey, not willingly alone. 
But gladly, as the precept were her own $ « 



$19 t>ii i*ffs «KOBiPir 'O* 

And, while that face renews my filial gric^ 
Fancy ihall weave a charm for my relief — 
•Shall fteep me in Elyfian reverie, 
A momentary dream, thaft thoa art ihe. 

My motheil when I learned that thou wafl dead* 
Say, waft thou confcious of the tears I ihed ? 
Hover'd thy fpirit o'er thy forrowing foD, 
"Wretch even then, life's journey juft begun ? 
Perhaps thou gav*ft me, though unfecn, a kifs-; 
^Perhaps a tear, if fouls can weep in blifs— 
Ah that maternal fmile ! it arrfwers — ^Yes. 
I heard the bell toll*d on thy burial day, 
I faw the hearfe that bore thee flow away. 
And, turning from my nursVy window, drew 
A long, long iigh, and wept a lafl adieu 1 
But was it fuch ?— It was.— Where thou art gone 
Adieus and'farewells are a found unknown. 
May I but meet thee on that peaceful ibore. 
The parting found (hall pafs my lips no more! 
Thy maidens griev'd fchemfdves at my Concern, 
Oft gave me promife of a quick return. 
What ardently I wt(h*d, I long bdiev-d. 
And, difappointed ftill, was !ftill decciv'd ; 



MY mother's PWtUll*. 319 

By difappointm^nt every day beguiVd, 
Dupe of io morrozu even from a child. 
Thus many a fad to-morrow came and went. 
Till, all my flock of infant forrow fpent, 
I learn'd at la ft fubmiffion to ray lot. 
But, though I iefs deplor'd thee, ne'er forgot. 

"Where once we dwelt our name is heard no more, 
Children not thine have trod my nurs'ry floor 5 
And where the gard'ncr Robin, day by day. 
Drew me to fchool along the public way. 
Delighted with my bauble coach, and wrapt 
In fcarlet mantle warm, and velvet capt, 
""Tis now become a hiftory little known. 
That once we calFd the paftVal houfe our own. 
Short liv'd poflTeffion I but the record fair, 
Tliat memVy keeps of all thy kindnefs there. 
Still outlives many a ftorm that has effac'd 
A thoufand other themes Iefs deeply trac*d. 
Thy nightly vifits to my chamber made. 
That thou might'ft know me fafe and warmly laid^ 
Thy morning bonnties ere I left my home. 
The bifeuit, or con fe6tio nary plum ; 
The fragrant waters on my dieeks beftow*d. 
By thy own hand, till frefti they (hone and glo^'d: 



4l20 Oir THB RECEIPT OW 

All this, and, more endearing dill than all. 
Thy conftant flow of love, that knew no fall. 
Ne'er roughened by thofe catarads and breaks 
That humour interpos*d too often makes; 
All this ftill legible in memVy^s page. 
And dill to be fo, to my lateii age. 
Adds joy to duty, makes me glad to pay 
ISuch iionours to thee as my numbers noay; 
Perhaps a frail memorial,, but fincere. 
Not fcorn*d in heaven, though little noticed here* 
Could time, his flight reverscl, reftore the hours 
When, playing with thy vefture*s tiflued flow*cs. 
The violet, the pink, and jeflamine, 
I prick'd them into paper with a pin, 
{And thou wait happi^ than myielf the while, 
Wonld*fl fof dy fpeak, and (Iroke ray head and finile} 
Could thofe few pleafant hours again appear. 
Might one wi(b bring them, would I wifh them 

here ? 
I would not truft my heart — the dear delight 
5eems fo to be defir'd, perhaps I might. — 
But no — what here we call our life is fuch^ 
^ little to be loved, and thou fo much^ 



VT vothek's picture. . 921 

f 

That lihould ill requite thee to confh'ain 
Thy unbound fpirit into bonds again. 

Thou, as a gallant bark from Albion*s coaft 
(The flonns all \(?eather'd and the ocean crofs*d) 
Shoots into port at fome well-haven*d ifle. 
Where fpices breathe and brighter feafons fmile» 
There fits quiefcent on the floods that ihow 
Her. beauteous form reflected clear below. 
While airs impregnated with incenfe play- 
Around her, fannii}g light her flreamers gay; 
So thou, with fails how fwift ! haH reached the 

ihore 
" Where tempers never beat nor billows roar *," 
And thy loved coufort on the dangVous tide 
Of life, long iince, has anchored at thy fide* 
£ut me, fcarce hoping to attain that reft. 
Always from port withheld, always diftrefs'd— 
Me howling winds drive devious, temped tofs'd» 
Sails ript, feam^ op*ning wide, and compafs lo(^ 
And day by day fome current's thwarting force 
Sets me more didant from a profp'rous courfe* 

* Oarth, 

v6L. I. y 



322 ON MT mother's pictvb:b. 

Bat oh the thought, that thou art fafe, and bel 
That thought is joy, arrive what may to me. 
My boaft is not that I deduce my birth 
From loins enthron'd, and rulers of the earth; 
But higher far my proud pretcnfions rife— 
The ion of parents pafs*d into the ikies. 
And now, farewell — ^time, unrevoked, has run 
His wonted courfe, yet what I wiih*d is done. 
By contemplation's help, not fought in vain, 
I feem t* have liv'd my childhood o*er again ; 
To have renew*d the joys that once were mine, 
Without the iin of violating thine ; 
And, while the wings of fancy ilill are free. 
And 1 can view this mimic ihew of thee, 
Hme has but half fucceeded in his theft — 
Thyfelf removed,' thy power to foothe me left. 



TO THB REV. WH. CAWTBORNB UNWIN* 323 



TO THE 

REV. WILLIAM CAWTHORNE UNWINT. 

I. 

Unwin, I fliould but ill repay 

The kindnefs of a friend, 
Whofe worth defervcs as warm a lay 

As ever friendihip penn*d» 
Thy name omitted in a page 
That would reclaim a vicious age. 

IL 
An union form*dy as mine with thee. 
Not rafhly, or in fport. 
May be as fervent in degree. 

And faithful in its fort. 
And may as rich in comfort prove. 
As that of true fraternal love. 

II L 

The bud inferted in the rind. 
The bud of peach or rofe. 



324 TO THB EEV. WM. CAWTHOKNB UNWXIT. 

Adorns^ though difi^riog ia its kind. 

The ftock thereon it grows. 
With flow'r as fweet, or fruit as fair. 
As if produced by nature thegre. 

IV. 
Not rich, I render what I may — 

I feize thy name in hafle. 
And place it in this firfl efTay, 

Left this fhould prove the lad. 
Tis where it fhould be — in a plan 
That holds in view the good of man* 

V. 

The poet's lyre, to ^i, bis fame, 

Should be the poet's heart ; 
A£fedion lights a brighter flame 

Than ever blaz*d by art. 
No mufes on thefe lines attend^ 
4 fink the poet in the friend. 



END OF THE .^IRST VOLUME. 



T. Bcnflqrf Printtr, BoltCoart* Fleet Strceti London. 



APPENDIX. 



........ >-..A M^ ... 



Printed at the Bottom of the 

YEARLY BILL OF MORTALITY 

OF THE TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON, 

November 5^ 1703. 

Happy the mortal, who has tfacM effe^^t 

To their Firft Caufe; tall f^ar bMieath hh ftfet) 

And death, and roaring helPs voracious fires« 

Thankless for favours from on high, 

Man thinks he fade^ too fooa 3 
Though *tis his privilege to die. 

Would he improve the boon : 

But he. Dot wife enough to fcaa 

His Befi concerns aright. 
Would gladly ftretch life's little Ipati 

To ages, if he might 

To ages, In a world of pain. 

To ages, where he goes 
GalVd by afili6tion*s heavy chain. 

And hopelefs of repole. 

Vol. I. Z 



326 BILX. OV BtOSTALITT. 

Strange fondnefft of the haman beart^ 

Enamoured of its harm ! 
Strange worlds that cofb it fo much fnaart. 

And flill has pow'r to charm! 

Whence has the world her magic pow'r ? 

Why deem we death a foe? 
Recoil from weary life's beft hoar. 

And covet longer woe? 

The caufe is Confcience — Confcience oft 

Her tale of guilt renews: 
Her voice is terrible though foft. 

And dread of death enfues. 

Then^ anxious to be longer fpar d, 
Man mourns his £eeting breath: 

All evils then feem light, compar*d 
With the approach of death. 

'Tis judgment fhakes him; there's the fear 
That prompts his wifh to flay : 

He has incurred a long arrear^ 
And muil defpair to pay. 



Pay!-— Follow CsKiaT^ and all is paid: 
His death your peace enfoms : 

Think on the grave^ where he was laid. 
And calm defend to yours. 



ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, 

FOR THE YBAR — . 

Improve the prefent hour, for all befide 
Is a mere feather on the torrenfs tide. 

Could I, from Heav n infpir'd, as fure prefage 
To whom the rijQng year fhall prove the laft 
As I can number in my pundual page. 

And item down the vidims of the pafl; 

> 

How each would trembling wait the mournful fheet 
On which the prefs might flamp him next to die 3 

And, reading here his fentence, how replete 
With anxious meaning, heavenward cafl his eye. 

Time then would feem more precious than the joys 
In which he fports away the treafure now, 

And prayer more feafonable than the hoife 
Of drunkards or the muiic-drawing bow. 



^ 



3(tft Wt%X OF lC04tTAUTT« 

Then, doubtlefs many % toi^r^ on tke brmk 
Of this world^s haxardooft rn^d hcadloBg ftere^ 

Fdrc*d to a paufe, would feel it good to tbink> 
Told that his fetliog foa wo<ilid jrilb so more. 

Ah! felf-d^cei?*d! could I prophetic fay 
Who next is fated, and who next (hall fall. 

The reft might then feem prrrtlegVi to play ; 
But^ naming qone, the voice now fpeaks to all. 

Obferve the dappled forefters, how light 
They bounds and airy^ o*er the funfty glade: 

One £illsh**^the reft^ wide featter^d with ftffright^. 
Vanifh at once into the tUckoft ihadeu 

Had we their wifdom, ihould we, often wam'd> 
Still need repeated warnings 5 and at laft, 

A thoufand awful admonitions fcorn'd. 
Die felf-accus*d of life all run to wafte? 

Sad waiiielr for which no aftel? thriA atones> 
The grave admits no cure of guilt et fin) * 

Dew-drops may deck the tovf that hides the booes. 
But tcan qi godly gnef ne'er flow withiji. 



^ 



9tm OP irMi'ALrrr. sug^ 

X»eam then* ye Hving \ by the moutha be taught 
Of all thefe fepulchres inihudiQCi trae^ 

Tbat« foon or late, death alio is your lot? 

And the next opening grave may yawn ftr you. 



ON A SIMILAR OCCASION, 

But let us all concur in this one fentimenty 
That things facred be inviolate . 

He lives who Uvea to God alone. 

And all are dead befide ; 
For other fource than God is none 

Whence life can be fupply'd. 

To live to God, is. to requite 

His love as beft we may j 
To make his precepts our delight^ 

His promifes our Hay. 

But life within a narrow ring 

Of giddy joys comprized, 
Is falfely nam'd^ and no fuch thing, 

But rather death diiguis'd. 



3Sa BILL OF MOETAIjITT* 

Can life in them defenre a name 

Who only live to prove 
For what poor joys they can difdaim 

An cndlefft life above? 

Who much difeas^d, yet nothing feeU 
Much menaced, nothing dread j 

Have wounds which only God can hesd. 
Yet never afk his aid ? 

Who deem his houfe a ufelcfs place. 
Faith, want of common fenfe 5 

And ardour in the Chriftian race 
An hypocrite's pretence ? 

Who trample order, and the day 
Which God afferts his own, 

Diihonour with unhallowed play. 
And worihip chance alone ? 

If fcorn of God's .commands, uBprefs*d 
On word and deed, employ 

The better part of man, janblefs'd 
With life that cannot die j 



THB VBOBO*S C01fPI.AINT. *33JL 

Such want it, and that want incurr*d 

Till man refign his breath. 
Speaks him a criminal, alTur^d 

Of everlafiing death. 

Sad period to a pleafant courfe! 

Yet fo will God repay 
Sabbaths profan'd without remorfe, 

And mercy caA away. 



THB 

NEGRO'S COMPLAINT. 

Forc'd from home, and all its pleafures^ 

Afnc*s coafl I left forlorn y 
To increafe a iiranger*s treafures. 

O'er the raging billows borne. 
Men from England bought and fold me^ 

Paid my price in paltry gold; 
But, though theirs they have enrolled m% 

Minds are never to be fold. 



Still ill thought M fk^ as t^&t, 

What are Engtatid'^ fights, 1 2A, 
Me from my delights to fever, 

Me to torture, me to ta(k ? 
Fleecy locks and black complexion 

Cannot forfeit natore^s <:laini ; 
Skins may differ, bat afiedion 

Dwells in white and black this fame. 

Why did all- creating Nature 

Make the plant for which we toil ^ 
Sighs muft fan it, tears mufl water. 

Sweat of ours muft drefs the foil. 
Think, ye maders, iron- hearted. 

Lolling at yoar jovial boardd ; 
Think how many backs have fmarted 

For the fweets your cane affords. 

Is there* as ye fometimes tdl'iis. 

Is there one Who feigns on high ^ 
Has he hid you buy and fell us, 

Speaking from his throne the A:y* 
Aik him, if your knotted fcourgies. 

Matches, blood-extorting fcrciws, 
Are the means which duty urges 

Agents of his will to ufe .> 



THB negro's complaint. 333 

•Hark ! he anfwers-^Wild tornadoes^ 

Strewing yonder fea with wrecks , 
WafHng towns, plantations, meadows. 

Are the voice with which he fpeaks. 
He, forefeeing what vexations 

Afric*s Tons ihould undergo, 
Fix*d their tyrants* habitations 

Where his whirlwinds anfwer — No. 

By our blood in Afric wafted, 

Ere our necks receiv'd the chain ^ 
By the mis*ries we have tafted, 

Croiling in your barks the main $ 
By our fuflTrings fincc ye brought us 

To the mad -degrading mart 3 
All fuftain*d by patience, taught us 

Only by a broken heart: 

Deem our nation brutes no longer 

Till fome reafon ye fhall find 
Worthier of regard and ftronger 

Than the colour of our kind. 
Slaves of gold, whofe fordid dealings 

TarniQi all your boafled powers. 
Prove that you have human feelings, 

Ere yoa proudly queflion gurs ! 
Vol. I. A a 



PITY FOR POOR AFRICANS. • ' ' 

' ' i: - 

Video meliora proboqne 
Deteriora £iequor.-~ 

\ owtr I am fbock*d at the parchafe of ilaves^ 
And fear thofe who buy them and fell tliem are 

knaves j 
What I hear of thdr hardfhips, their tortures^ .aiid 

groans^ 

Is almofi; enough to draw pity from Hones. 

I pity them greatly, but I mufl be mum^ 
For how could we do without fugar and mm? 
Efpecially fugar, fo needful we fee? 
What ! give up our dcferts, our coffee, and tea? 

Beiides, if we do, the French, Dutch, ax^Deines, 
Will heartily thank us, no dotibt, for our paios; 
If we do not buy the poor creatures^ thfcy wiU, 
And torturer and groans will be multiply*d (tilt. 

If for^gners likewife would pve up the trade, 
Much more in behalf of yoir wifii might be iaid; 
But, while they get nchoi.4iy putdiafiiig blacks, 
Pray tell ma why we m^y^^ alib ][|^fiiackff? 



PITY FOE POOE APRICAV8. 8SA 

Your fcruples and arguments bring to my mind 
A ftory fa pat, you ma^- think it is coin'd. 
On purpofe to anfwer you, out of my mint| 
But, I can aflure you, I faw it in print. 

A youngfter at fchool, more fedate than the reft. 
Had once his integrity put to the teftj 
His comrades had plotted an orchard to rob. 
And aik*d him to go and aiiift in the job. 

He was ihock*d, fir, like ydu, and anfwer*d — . 

'* Oh no ! 
Whatl rob our good neighbour 1 I pray you, 

don't go 5 
fiefides the man's poor, his orchard 's his bread. 
Then think of his children, for they mud be fed." 

'* You fpeak very fine, and you look very grave. 
But apples we want, and apples weH have ; 
If you will go with us, you. fhall have a fhare. 
If not, you ihall have neither apple nor pear." 

They (poke, andTomponder'd— "T fee they will go: 
Poor man \ what a pity to injure him fo ! 
Poor man 1 1 would ieLve^ him his &i|it if I cou'd. 
But flaying behind wiUdo him no good. 



936 PitT FOE room Africans, 

** If the matter dq>ended alone upon me. 
His apples might hang till they dropt from the twd; 
But, fince they will take them^ I think FU go too^ 
He will lofe none by me, though I get a few.*' 

His fcruples thus filenc^d, Tom felt more at ea(e, 
And went with his comrades the apples to feize; 
He blam*d and protected, but join'd in the plan; 
He ihar'd in the plunder, but pity*d the man. 



THE END. 



Printed by T. Beniley, Bolt court, Fleet -ftreet, Londoik 



/ /